Loading...
VII.1. Resolution Establishing Legislative Policy 7-G – Fair Housing Policy; YoungquistCITY OF HOPKINS HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2019-011 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LEGISLATIVE POLICY 7-G – FAIR HOUSING POLICY WHEREAS the City Council of the City of Hopkins is committed to ensuring that fair and equal housing opportunities are available to all persons in all housing opportunities and development activities funded by the City regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistances, familial status, national origin, or disability; and WHEREAS the City of Hopkins is a participant in the Livable Communities Act's Local Housing Incentives Account Program as established by the Metropolitan Council; and WHEREAS beginning in 2019, the Metropolitan Council requires all recipients of Livable Communities Act funding to adopt a Fair Housing Policy prior to the disbursement of funds; and WHEREAS the City Council of the City of Hopkins has approved a document entitled Legislative Policy Manual to provide uniform guidelines on City policies so that actions taken are consistent and fair; and WHEREAS the City Council has created Legislative Policy 7-G in order to set forth the actions the City of Hopkins will take to affirmatively further fair housing. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins hereby adopts the establishment of Legislative Policy 7-G Fair Housing Policy as proposed in Council Report 2019-016. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 19th day of February, 2019. By:__________________________ Molly Cummings, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ Amy Domeier, City Clerk 1 POLICY 7-G FAIR HOUSING POLICY 1. PURPOSE 1.01 Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act establishes federal policy for providing fair housing throughout the United States. The intent of Title VIII is to assure equal housing opportunities for all citizens. Furthermore, the City of Hopkins, as a recipient of federal community development funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, is obligated to certify that it will affirmatively further fair housing. 2. FAIR HOUSING POLICY STATEMENT 2.01 It is the policy and commitment of the City of Hopkins to ensure that fair and equal housing opportunities are available to all persons in all housing opportunities and development activities funded by the city regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistances, familial status, national origin, or disability. This shall be done through external policies that provide meaningful access to all constituents as well as fair housing information and referral services; and through internal practices and procedures that promote fair housing. 3. EXTERNAL PRACTICES 3.01 The City of Hopkins will provide meaningful access to fair housing information through the following methods: 1. Online Information: The City will display information about fair housing prominently on its website. The website will provide links to various fair housing resources, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, HOME Line Minnesota, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, as well as links to state and federal fair housing complaint forms. 2. In-Person Information: The City will provide fair housing information and resources to anyone requesting such information at the city offices. 3. Languages: The City is committed to providing information in the native language of its residents. The City will provide the fair housing information in Spanish and Somali, and for other languages, the City will connect individuals with appropriate translation services, if requested. 4. INTERNAL PRACTICES 4.01 The City of Hopkins commits to the following steps to promote awareness and sensitivity to fair housing issues in all of its government functions: 1. Staff Training – The City will train its staff and officials on fair housing considerations as training opportunities become available. 2. Housing Analysis - The City will review its housing periodically to examine the affordability of both rental and owner-occupied housing to inform future City actions. 2 3. Code Analysis - The City will review its municipal code periodically, with specific focus on ordinances related to zoning, building, and occupancy standards, to identify any potential for disparate impact or treatment. 4. Project Planning and Analysis - City planning functions and development review will consider housing issues, including whether potential projects may perpetuate segregation or lead to displacement of protected classes. 5. Community Engagement - The City is committed to ongoing community engagement. Conversations regarding fair housing, development, zoning, and other land use planning decisions may be facilitated by the City. 6. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing - As a recipient of federal funds, the City agrees to participate in the Regional Analysis of Impediments, as organized by the regional Fair Housing Implementation Council. The City will consider the recommendations from the analysis for potential integration into city planning documents, including the comprehensive plan and other related documents.