06-24-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ORONO HOUSING ACTION PLAN JUNE 24, 1996 Orono ’s Housing Action Plan is a set of implementation activities designed to achieve the city’s Housing Goals. The dominant land use in the City of Orono is primarily that of single-family residential homes. There is very limited industrial-commercial development or opportunities for employment and shopping within the City. Orono residents have always relied on the historic town centers in adjacent communities for shopping as well as employment. The general lack of commercial and industrial development and the limited availability of city services such as municipal sewer, water and mass transit will limit the opportunities for, and make it difficult, if possible at all, to provide opportunities for new life cycle and affordable housing in Orono. On the other hand, there are deteriorated and dilapidated housing units located throughout the City. Most of Orono ’s urban dwellings have been upgraded from seasonal cabins through either private or public rehabilitation programs. Others remain in need of attention. A top priority in Orono must be improving the housing conditions of persons who are presently inadequately housed and eliminating substandard housing. Thus, rather than pursuing construction of new life cycle and affordable housing units in the City, Orono ’s Housing Action Plan is aimed principally at improving the condition of Orono ’s older homes, both urban and rural, and improving the housing conditions of Orono ’s low, moderate and fixed income residents. 1. 2. 3. ORONO WILL PARTICIPATE IN HOUSING REHABILITATION SUBSIDY PROGRAMS. Many Orono residents, both urban and rural, are occupying older housing that has code-related structural, safety or health hazards, substandard living conditions or energy inefficiencies. They would like to improve their housing condition and their neighborhood’s appearance, but are unable to because of insufficient income. In many cases, older couples are forced to choose between heat or food or leaving their place of long residence. Orono will continue to actively participate in Community Development Block Grant and Minnesota Housing Finance Assistance programs designed to help these citizens meet their very immediate housing needs. ORONO WILL COOPERATE WITH NEIGHBORING CITIES TO FULFILL ARE- WIDE HOUSING NEEDS. Most apparent is the need for many senior Orono residents who desire to live in the immediate area, but w'ho cannot find available senior housing. Orono will actively participate with nearby municipalities toward jointly providing cost effective senior housing at locations that are near to home yet also convenient to necessary shopping, transportation and medical facilities. ORONO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF HOUSING TYPES AND COST RANGES. Whenever a multiple family or clustered housing development is proposed, Orono will actively encourage setting aside a