Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Ever wish you had the power to shape the development of your community?  Well, you already do - through your city's comprehensive plan.

  All cities have comprehensive plans, the documents that cities create every ten years to guide and shape the growth and activity within the city for the next decade. The plans govern things like housing type and density, land use planning, water resources and more.

According to Guy Peterson, Director of the Metropolitan Council's Community Development Division, "this once every decade effort by local governments to guide community growth, development and redevelopment is integral to the continued vitality and prosperity of our region."

Comprehensive plans set goals for affordable housing in communities and also establish policies around land use. In turn, such land use governance helps Twin Cities Habitat target which cities it should approach for land acquisition opportunities.

For example, if a comprehensive plan calls for minimal housing density-such as one unit per acre, the land will be too expensive for Habitat to purchase and develop. Conversely, if a comprehensive plan encourages denser development such as eight units per acre, the entry cost for Twin Cities Habitat is more affordable.

The Metropolitan Council must approve the comprehensive plan of every city in the 7-county area. Part of this process also involves public meetings to discuss your city's proposed plan. All cities are currently in the final stages of developing their comprehensive plans that will govern your city for the next ten year.

You can have a role in shaping your city's comprehensive plan by attending a public hearing.  Contact your city to find out whether they are still conducting public hearings.  If so, attend one of the hearings and ask your city leaders to adopt language in the plan that is inclusive of affordable housing. 

What you say today can influence the next decade of housing in your community.

Contributed by Karl Batalden