Title
Receive a presentation from Minnesota Housing Partnership and vote on request to adopt the Chatham County 2023 Affordable Housing Plan: Strategic Plan and Data Update
Abstract
Introduction & Background: In accord with the Board’s goal of addressing affordable housing needs within Chatham County and given the changing environment over the last five years, the County has undertaken a strategic planning effort to create an updated Housing Action Plan. Working with Minnesota Housing Partnership, a national technical assistance provider through HUD’s Rural Capacity Building Program, Chatham County and community partners participated in data collection, a strategic planning retreat, and follow up meetings to create the Action Plan. This presentation, as well as the report, includes a summary of updated data on the state of housing, documentation of the strategic planning process, and an outline for the first Chatham County Strategic Housing Action Plan. These Plan’s activities will be implemented over the next several years and will be monitored and evaluated to ensure continued relevancy.
More than 40 individuals from five County government departments, County and municipal elected officials, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee members, and nine community organizations participated in the strategic planning retreat. Partners have worked directly with County staff to complete final planning activities throughout the fall and winter. MHP staff finalized the report in March 2024, and it was shared with the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for feedback. Only positive remarks were received from Committee members.
Staff from MHP would like to present an overview of report’s contents, including a brief data update, AHAC and County progress to date, and a recap of participation and outcomes from the retreat and the Housing Action Plan.
Discussion & Analysis: Receive presentation and adopt the Chatham County 2023 Affordable Housing Plan: Strategic Plan and Data Update. Adoption will provide clear support for County housing staff to work toward implementation of the Strategic Housing Action Plan in coordination with community partners.
How does this replate to the Comprehensive Plan: Plan Chatham (2017) includes four goals in which housing is an element:
1. Preserve the rural character and lifestyle of Chatham County.
2. Promote a compact growth pattern by developing in and near existing towns, communities, and in designated, well planned, walkable, mixed-use centers.
3. Provide equitable access to high quality education, housing, and communities options for all.
4. Foster a health community.
Each of these goals provides direction for County leaders to make decisions about future development, related investments, and a secure future for County residents. The Chatham County 2023 Strategy Toolbox and Housing Action Plan also has a focus on these key elements, with the understanding that there is a changing landscape that has brought a need for more affordable housing as pressures increase for existing residents.
The Housing Action Plan includes six goals that, broadly speaking, intend to do the following:
1. Reduce barriers and improve efficiencies in the development process and continue to incentivize development of affordable housing.
2. Develop a framework for collaboration between existing community partners, AHAC, the Chatham Housing Collective, and county and municipal staff, including the hiring and retention of adequate staff and increasing staff capacity.
3. Increase understanding of the need for affordable housing with the community, private business, and decision makers through data analysis and storytelling.
4. Streamline existing and new programs and services to reduce duplication and increase effectiveness, including incorporating insights for individuals with lived experience.
5. Develop sustainable funding sources to meet the housing needs of the community.
Overall, these goals keep in mind those of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and seek to build upon the existing work of the County and community partners as it relates to housing. By improving the capacity, sustainability, and coordination of processes, people, and programs, the Chatham housing community can better meet the biggest goals of the County.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: With Objective #9, Plan Chatham calls for the provision of equitable access to high-quality housing and community options for all. Affordable housing is a prioritized goal to this objective by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. An affordable housing strategic plan will aid in the continued effort of the Board, staff, advisory committees, community partners, and the public to increase the variety of affordable housing types and numbers throughout the county.
Budgetary Impact: The adoption of the proposed Affordable Housing Strategic Plan will have no direct budgetary impact. However, moving this plan into various forms and iterations of implementation is anticipated to pose budgetary impacts. These impacts are intended to be planned in advance and through standard and established processes, such as the annual operating budget process.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to adopt the Chatham County 2023 Affordable Housing Plan: Strategic Plan and Data Update.