Minneapolis Regulatory Initiatives for Affordable Housing Thomas Deegan

Minneapolis Regulatory Initiatives for Affordable Housing Thomas Deegan Manager, Problem Properties Unit Thomas. Deegan@ci. minneapolis. mn. us 612. 673. 3310 City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services October 2008

Problem Properties Unit Mission To analyze and resolve property issues that have not been responsive to Normal processes of enforcement Focus Areas 1. Vacant, Boarded, Condemned 2. Problem Addresses (police and housing) 3. Complex & Non-responsive (commercial) City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Foreclosure Crisis ■ This map shows total foreclosure sales in 2007, according to the Hennepin County Sherriff’s Office ■ Foreclosures are concentrated in North and South Central Minneapolis

Regulatory Strategies and Programs • Vacant Building Registration • Restoration Agreements • Fee Waiver – Public Developments • Cluster Focused Developments • Truth in Sale of Housing • Minneapolis Development Review City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Vacant Building Registration Program Monitor and Track Boarded, Vacant and Condemned Properties § Oversee Vacant Building Registration ($6000 fee) § List provided on Web for easy access Administer Ordinance Governing Boarded, Vacant and Nuisance Properties (Chapter 249) § Determine appropriate abatement action – demolition or restoration City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Restoration Agreements • Expedites the rehab of a property to a livable condition. • Used as: • Alternative to demolition order • Method to hold fee in abeyance • Approximately 30 in progress and 15 complete over the past 2 years Possible Future Use: Order Rehab with Follow Through by City (repair) City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Elements of Restoration Agreement • Contract between the owner and Regulatory Services • Based on Code Compliance Inspection or Inspection by PPU Inspector • 6 months to complete the work • Requires Escrow / Bond to ensure success • Inspector assigned to track/assist City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Waive Regulatory Fees & Assessments • For City Owned/Acquired Properties: • Waive all Regulatory Fees • Special Assessments (board up; nuisance abatement; utility bills; admin citations) • Provide expedited plan review • For Non-Profits Working with City: • Waive Code Compliance fee requirements ($2000 deposit) City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Cluster Focused Development • Six Areas - Coordinated Planning & Development – Partnership between Minneapolis Family Housing Fund; Community Development Agency; Reg Services; Neighborhood and Developer – Identify Development Opportunities and Regulatory Concerns

Truth in Sale of Housing - Web • The evaluation, the Certificate of Approval (if issued), the list of violations, can be found on the City of Minneapolis website www. ci. minneapolis. mn. us/propertyinfo/ – Ease of Access for Evaluators and Potential Buyers – Expedites Process; ensures ordinance compliance City of Minneapolis Regulatory Services

Minneapolis Development Review • State of the Art Development Review Center • Significantly reduced time of plan review/permits (41 to 9) – – – Plan Review Appointments Permits Questions / Reviews Licenses Payment of Special Assessments