A roof over our heads:

Council aims to make study findings count

By Sue Odegard

Psychologists know it and now so do members of the City Council.

Shelter is one of the basic needs required to keep people healthy and happy.

Now that a detailed housing study has been completed (see related story on the front page), city officials want to use their newly acquired knowledge to create affordable living conditions for more local residents.

"This isn't just a document to put on the shelf," said Ann McAlpine, executive director of the River Falls Housing Authority and chair of the local housing needs study committee. "This is a permanent record for the city to study and act on."

Her sentiments were echoed by City Planner Buddy Lucero at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

"We want to take another good look at this plan," Lucero said, "and set up goals for implementing it. We could set up a committee to create an ongoing plan. We also need to look at a review process to make sure we are not hindering development in the area."

Kathie Lenz of Cedar Corporation, the consultant hired by the city to oversee the housing study, summarized the findings.

The city has experienced substantial growth since 1990 which could continue because of the proximity to the Twin Cities (provided the quality of life here is preserved).

The demand for housing exceeds the supply, which in turn, drives up the prices.

The supply of renter housing appears to be growing faster than owner housing.

The numbers of new twin homes and duplexes are outpacing new single family homes.

The new rental housing has become less affordable to lower income households.

New owner housing has become less affordable to lower income households.

Wages are not keeping pace with the increasing cost of housing (especially local wages).

UW-River Falls students and lower income households in some areas of the city live in substandard housing. Those people need financial assistance in helping to upgrade their living quarters.

Special populations have difficulty finding affordable, appropriate housing (such as the frail elderly and larger families).

Land for affordable housing is scarce.

The city's housing development policies and procedures tend to hinder development of affordable housing (especially owner housing).

Now that the study has been completed, Mayor Cecil Bjork said it should be forwarded to the Plan Commission for additional comments. Then it will be returned to the City Council for possible action.