Affordable Housing Task Force Recommendations to the Governing Body June, 2018

City of Topeka
Affordable Housing Task Force Recommendations to the Governing Body
June, 2018
Established in the summer of 2016, the affordable housing task force is comprised of various stakeholders in the community who have a main interest in improving affordable housing in the City of Topeka as well as community partners directly involved in providing affordable housing or services related to affordable housing. Based on discussions of the task force over the past 2 and a half years, the following recommendations are made to the Topeka Governing Body:
1. AUTHORIZE AND INVEST IN A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING SURVEY AND NEEDS ASESSMENT
At present, we do not have a consistent or comprehensive understanding of housing stock in Topeka. A housing study would provide a reliable resource to find out what we really need and where we need it.
A. A comprehensive housing survey will help Topeka government and other stakeholders make wise resource investment decisions.
B. A needs assessment will identify categories of people who need access to affordable housing, and clarify a range of causes behind the needs. (Research can help demonstrate, for example, if a particular population simply cannot find safe, affordable housing or if some populations make preferential decisions to spend more than 30% of their income on housing.)
C. A survey and needs assessment completed by field experts will offer best practices and recommendations for Topeka to increase opportunities for safe and affordable housing for those who need it.
2. EQUIP AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSUMERS TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Collective wisdom of the affordable housing task force forecasts that a housing study and needs assessment will reveal existing barriers faced by affordable housing consumers that will need to be addressed before definitive, lasting progress on the issue will be realized. Consideration should be given to:
A. Expanding opportunities for affordable housing consumers to fix and repair homes. This can be approached through investments of dollars and resources, including volunteers.
B. Expanding opportunities and incentives for affordable housing consumers to improve their understanding of and access to Topeka housing codes and code enforcement, available housing stock and resources, and, supportive and educational programming. Some of the opportunities the affordable housing task force has considered are:
1. A comprehensive and up-to-date resource list of available housing in Topeka
2. Expanding access to rental and homeowner education
3. Programs that incentivize positive behaviors by those in, and those providing, affordable housing.
C. Address economic barriers contributing to the persistence of low-income households in Topeka. Consideration should be given to:
1. Encouraging the creation of jobs that pay a sufficient wage to afford housing
2. Expanding access to consumer credit counseling
3. DEVELOP NEW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
Even without a completed housing study and needs assessment, the affordable housing task force recognizes there is insufficient availability of safe, affordable housing in Topeka. Planning and investments can begin now, to address the needs and responses that will be brought forward by the study. Considerations should include:
A. Working with private partners and collaborating to develop projects
B. Identify funding sources (federal, state, local)
C. Advocate to get abandoned housing State legislation approved
4. ESTABLISH CITY ORDINANCES AND PROGRAMS
While City engagement in each of the first three recommendations is essential, there are also actions the Governing Body can take very soon that will provide direct supports to the goals of the affordable housing task force. These include:
A. Establish and help finance a housing trust fund
B. Establish a land bank program
C. Change the culture of home owners and tenants caring for their homes by passing a neglected building registration ordinance