Discussion:
The city of Shakopee is currently a Livable Communities Act (LCA) participant. LCA participation means access to grants for items such as environmental cleanup and investigation, compact and efficient development, projects with connect jobs, transit, and housing, and preserving and creating affordable housing. LCA programs provide over $20 million in funding each year. Participation in LCA must be renewed for the 2021-2030 decade.
The city was recently awarded a Met Council grant of more than $450,000 towards the costs of the Riverfront Bluff cleanup costs. The city also recently applied for a TOD grant for the Core Crossings development. The city was also eligible for a DEED clean up grant that was recently awarded because of its LCA participation.
LCA participation has three primary requirements:
- Establish a Housing Action Plan
- Spend an affordable and life-cycle housing opportunity amount (ALHOA)
- Adopt affordable and life-cycle housing goals
Housing Action Plan
This is a plan that will due in June 2021 and will be completed by city staff, planning for years 2021 - 2031. To be eligible for LCA funds, the City must re-enroll in LCA and prepare a Housing Action Plan in 2021. The plan is derived from the goals in Envision Shakopee 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Affordable and Life-cycle Housing Opportunity Amount (ALHOA)
ALHOA is calculated annually and shared with participating cities by August 1st of each year so they may plan for the following year. The planned ALHOA amount for Shakopee in 2021 is $173,687.00. This dollar amount is currently credited to the city because of programs run in conjunction with the Scott County CDA.
Affordable and Life-cycle Housing Goals
Affordable and life-cycle housing goal are determined by the Metropolitan Council decennially. Eligibility for LCA funds requires the adoption of new 2021-2030 affordable and life-cycle housing goals by November 15, 2020.
For the years 2021- 2031, the calculated goals for affordable housing are 536-975 units, and 2,105 life-cycle units. These goals are consistent with the adopted affordable housing goals within the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.