HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHTFMinutes_2016_06_09Brookings Affordable Housing Task Force
June 9, 2016 Minutes
A meeting of the Brookings Affordable Housing Task Force was held on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 1:00
p.m. in the Brookings City and County Government Center. Members present: PattyBacon, JacobMills,
MaryJoMinor, KelanBludorn, AngieBoersma, RyanKrogman, and ConnieBridges. City staff present:
KevinCatlin, Assistant to the City Manager and MikeStruck, Community Development Director.
Chair Bacon call the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Bludorn, seconded by Mills to approve the minutes. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
Next Scheduled Meeting. Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 1:00 pm.
Inventory of Existing Housing Stock. Krogman explained the table he and Heuton put together based
upon residential listings on the MLS. Task force members would like to see data on what existing rental
stock exists including their distribution of rents.
Discussion on Housing Characteristics and Income.Approximately 64% of renter-occupied households
pay 30% or more of their income on housing whereas only 18% of owner-occupied households pay 30%
or more of their income for housing. General discussion amongst the members concerning homebuyer
expectations. Vacancies in subsidized housing are occurring in Brookings with consideration by some
managers to remove properties from the program.
Discussion on Issues Affecting Affordable Housing.Struck reviewed the table of issues affecting
affordable housing and the group went through each issue identifying the party(ies) responsible or
having an impact on the issue.
Task force began identifying potential issues that are influenced by government and solutions to those
issues. The taxing rate for apartments are at a commercial rate and suggested legislative changes on
taxing structure of non-owner occupied housing could be a solution. Discussion on possibly incentivizing
existing homeowners to "upgrade" to new housing thereby opening up existing housing stock for others.
Employers have indicated a struggle to fill positions due the applicants not being able to find affordable
housing to buy or rent. Suggested Brookings County review/make changes to the 35 acre building
eligibility requirement in the joint jurisdiction area. Review the discretionary property tax formula as it
is applied to undeveloped lots. Suggestion to consider allowing developers to work off of preliminary
plats and final plat at time of sale. Suggestion to have the City of Brookings lower infrastructure costs
which may serve as an incentive to developers.
Meeting Adjourned at 3:00 pm.