Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Promoting Fair

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Promoting Fair Housing Choice in St. Lawrence County November 8, 2010

Overview of Agenda Welcome Fundamentals of Fair Housing Known Fair Housing Impediments in SLC Other Existing Impediments Identify & Prioritize Strategies Where We Go From Here Lunch!

Fair Housing Act of 1968 Prohibits housing discrimination based on: – Race or color – National origin – Religion – Sex – Familial status – Disability

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Act mandates HUD to make equal housing choice a reality Grantees required to certify they will affirmatively further fair housing when they accept HUD funds Applies to all housing activities; not just restricted to HUD funded programs

What Does this Mean? Conduct an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice Take action to overcome impediments Document actions taken

Fair Housing Impediments Can be deliberate: Actions, omissions or decisions that restrict housing choice based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin

Fair Housing Impediments Can also be inadvertent: An action, omission or decision which has the effect of restricting housing choice based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin →In both instances, it’s the end result on the protected class

Today’s Anticipated Outcomes Barriers to Equal Housing Choice in SLC Identified Strategies to Overcome Barriers Developed & Prioritized

Barriers to Equal Housing Opportunity in SLC A review of known barriers Discuss other barriers not identified

Known Impediments in SLC Resources: – HUD Data based on 2000 Census – North Country HOME Consortium 20062010 Consolidated Plan – DHCR 2008 -2009 North Country Affordable Housing Report

2000 HUD Data for SLC 40, 524 households • 29% are renters (11, 885 units) • 71% are owners (28, 639)

Mobility and Self Care Limitation 1+ person with long lasting condition that substantially limits one or more basic activity, or a physical, mental or emotional condition lasting more than 6 months 9, 000 households • 6, 115 are owners (45% are seniors) • 2, 885 are renters (41% are seniors)

Income 2000 Median Family Income = $38, 510 • 80% = $30, 808 (Moderate) • 50% = $19, 255 (Low) • 30% = $11, 553 (Very Low)

Housing Cost Burden No more than 30% of annual income on housing costs. Families who pay more than 30% are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care.

Housing Costs Renters: – Rent – Utilities Owners: – Mortgage payment – Taxes – Insurance – Utilities

Housing Problems Definition: – Housing cost burden >30% of gross income – Overcrowding (>1 per room) – Without complete kitchen/plumbing facilities • 41% of all renters (4, 825 units) • 20% of all owners (5, 785)

North Country HOME Consortium Consolidated Plan 86, 295 households, 4% minority Highest concentration of very low income households in SLC (43%) 62% of Native households in SLC • 46% were very low income

Income & Housing Affordable housing problems directly related to income • 73% of all renter households with low and very low income report problems with housing

Resource Constraints Competitive funding awards remain flat Rising construction costs Lead abatement threshold unchanged

Public Housing Authorities 4 PHAs, 788 units total Low vacancy rates, long waiting lists Elderly units harder to fill Greatest demand is for family units (esp. 2 bedroom)

Section 8 Assistance 759 units total At 95% capacity, 40 vacant units Waiting list of 500 individuals

Emergency/Transitional Housing Renewal House, 9 beds Single Room Occupancy, 41 North Country Freedom Homes, 16 Transitional Living Svcs of NNY, 14

DHCR North Country Affordable Housing Reports Type, location and condition of housing stock Housing Preservation Resources

Stick Built Homes Majority built before WWII – Considerable deferred maintenance More likely to be substandard outside population centers

Mobile Homes 13. 7% of housing stock comprises of mobile and manufactured housing Value tends to decline over time Primarily assisted via WAP ($7, 500)

Rental Units Less than 20% of housing stock has 2+ units – Many developed via USDA RD Section 515 Program Affordable units not energy efficient In high demand in college towns

Emergency/Transition Housing Too few emergency shelters Oversubscribed – Rely on local motels – Relocate outside region – Move in with family/friends

Adirondack Park In APA, 8% of land available for high density development Burgeoning second/seasonal home market

Preservation Resources Good paying jobs Active enforcement in population centers More lead-certified & NYSERDA contractors

Questions & Feedback What other impediments exist in SLC? – What wasn’t covered – What should be emphasized What has changed since these reports were published?

5 Minute Break Reconvene in Groups

Brainstorming Strategies Breakout into Groups – What can we do to overcome these impediments?

Group Reports Report on strategies Categorize strategies – Group similar issues together

Prioritizing Strategies Sticky Dot Vote – Significance of issue – Resources available – How quickly can issue be addressed

Review Priorities Develop Activity Timelines – Implemented by stakeholders at local level

What’s Next Electronic distribution of today’s workshop Reviving County’s Fair Housing Task Force Use of email distribution list

Sources: HUD Data: http: //socds. huduser. org/chas/index. htm North Country HOME Consortium 2007 – 2010 Consolidated Plan: http: //danc. org/downloads/Consolidated%20 Pla n. pdf 2008 -2009 North Country Affordable Housing Needs Study: http: //nysdhcr. gov/Publications/Housing. Needs. St udy