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Best practices review on preserving housing affordability Page 1 of 2„*ii-ORNIATIOg4 Cities Bull ONLINE EDITION Best practices review on preserving housing affordability Issue 18 May 9,2003 The Office of the Legislative Auditor has released a study that identifies best practices for local governments that have decided to become involved in preserving housing. The report,released on April 16, identifies strategies that cities are using either on their own or when working with local or regional housing and redevelopment authorities (HRAs), economic development or community action agencies, nonprofit housing organizations or regional development commissions (RDCs). The full report,Preserving Housing:A Best Practices Review, is available on the OLA web site. To receive a hard copy of the report by mail, call(651)296-4708. The report recommends the following best practices: • Cities that have not identified their housing needs should do so by analyzing information in the context of long-range planning and strategic thinking. • Cities should set housing goals and objectives, evaluate possible responses, and select strategies • aligned with their objectives. • Jurisdictions that administer housing-related codes should facilitate voluntary compliance, apply and enforce codes consistently, use a variety of enforcement methods, and target enforcement resources. • Jurisdictions that administer the State Building Code should publicize code requirements, offer technical assistance, make the permit process convenient, ensure consistent enforcement, and consider code compliance alternatives for existing residential buildings. • Cities that offer financial assistance for preserving housing should find partnerships that give cities the capacity to take advantage of myriad complex programs. • Cities that support access to housing information or expertise should seek collaborations, identify residents' information needs, and provide information in a variety of ways. • Cities that have not identified their housing needs should do so by analyzing information in the context. • Cities that offer access to repair and rehabilitation services, such as weatherization or acquisition and rehabilitation programs, need to manage those services' planning, implementation, and marketing. • To determine how well housing strategies meet objectives, cities should periodically evaluate them. LMC Board Editor: Designer: Executive Director: of Directors Erica Norris Laura Zenz Jim Miller Copyright©2003 League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Ave.West,St.Paul,MN 55103 http://www.lmnc.org/bulletin/story.cfm?id=195&title_id=7 5/9/2003