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Resolution authorizing The Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority to exercise its powers within the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s area of operation at the same time the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Saint Paul, Minnesota exercises the same powers
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WHEREAS, Ramsey County, the City of St. Paul, and our entire region are facing an affordable housing crisis that has been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic downturn; and
WHEREAS, many residents of the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County struggle to find or afford stable housing along the full housing continuum; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of renters and 20% of homeowners in Ramsey County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing expenses; and
WHEREAS, the current market is not building or preserving enough affordable housing to meet the needs of these residents, including seniors, low-wage workers, and others who make less than $25,000 annually; and
WHEREAS, at the current pace of construction and if all construction was dedicated to affordable housing, it would take more than 21 years to build enough units to meet the demand; and
WHEREAS, this housing shortage is anticipated to grow in the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County, and will place further strain on the housing market and city and county services for all households; and
WHEREAS, throughout Ramsey County the availability of land is scarce and nearly all development that occurs or will occur will be redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, redevelopment challenges are very site specific and contribute to the added cost and time necessary to ready and advance projects; and
WHEREAS, affordable housing is a smart investment of taxpayer dollars and a long-term solution addressing the root cause of homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Paul established the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the “City HRA”) prior to June 8, 1971 and levies a tax upon all taxable property within the City of St. Paul pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 469.033, subd. 6; and
WHEREAS, to help support the preservation of existing and creation of new affordable housing developments as well as the redevelopment and revitalization of blighted corridors and sites across Ramsey County, including in the City of St. Paul, the Board of Commissioners of The Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (the “County HRA”) has proposed to levy a tax upon all taxable property within Ramsey County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 469.033, subd. 6 (the “County HRA Levy”); and
WHERAS, funds collected through the County HRA Levy will be used in the City of St. Paul and across Ramsey County to expand homeownership programs, offer gap financing and land acquisition funds, and to allocate resources to increase the competitiveness of the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County housing projects when applying for state grants; and
WHEREAS, the County HRA will also be involved in broader development and redevelopment efforts in the City of St. Paul and throughout Ramsey County that advance Ramsey County’s goals; and
WHEREAS, a County HRA Levy could collect up to $11.6 million each year (based on the pay 2021 tax rates and tax capacity) to fund affordable housing and broader development and redevelopment efforts that advance Ramsey County’s goals, with steady investments that support projects in St. Paul and County-wide; and
WHEREAS, the County HRA will seek authorization from the City St. Paul to implement projects in the City’s jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the County HRA commits to balancing County HRA Levy investments across St. Paul and suburban Ramsey County equitably; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 469.012, subd. 3, the City HRA may adopt a resolution authorizing the County HRA to exercise the County HRA’s powers within the City of St. Paul at the same time that the City HRA is exercising its own powers; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding Ramsey County’s authority pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 469.004, subd. 1a, to exercise the powers of a housing and redevelopment authority, independent of the general law authority of housing and redevelopment authorities, for clarity Ramsey County and the County HRA have requested that the City of St. Paul, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 469.005, subd. 1, and the City HRA, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 469.012, subd. 3, authorize the County HRA to exercise the County HRA’s powers within the City of St. Paul at the same time that the City HRA is exercising its own powers; and
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Saint Paul, Minnesota as follows:
1. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes § 469.008, the County HRA is authorized to exercise its powers, including without limitation exercise of the County Levy, within the City of Saint Paul to the extent authorized by this Resolution.
2. The authorization granted herein is given on condition that said authorization may be revoked by subsequent resolution of the City HRA and said authorization shall continue until revoked by such resolution of the City HRA.
3. The authorization granted herein is given on condition that the County HRA’s exercise of its powers will not alter, limit, or impair the City HRA’s powers, area of operation, or levy.
4. The authorization granted herein is given on condition that at least fifty percent (50%) of any tax levied by the County HRA will spent on projects located in the City of Saint Paul.
5. The authorization granted herein is given on condition that the County HRA will seek approval from the City of St. Paul before commencement of each project in the City’s jurisdiction.