Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group

As Population Increases, Where Will We Live?

Jul 19, 2002

by Kim Wolken

As the Minneapolis population grows, finding housing opportunities that offer affordability and quality of life will be a challenge. Are we as a city and neighborhood prepared to meet the housing needs of a population that is diverse in age, health, culture and class?

A key component to building affordable housing is increasing its density. How might this look in our neighborhood?

The FRNNG Housing Committee is working with Project for Pride and Living (PPL) to develop and build a three-bedroom house in the neighborhood that includes a "granny apartment" on the back; the apartment is one-bedroom and handicap accessible. This type of development allows a family to rent to someone, such as an older member of the family or a handicapped adult. It might also help a young family just starting out to purchase a house because the earned rent would, in effect, offset part of their mortgage payment.

Other ways to increase density and affordability include duplexes or apartments built over garages. Another housing option might be small cooperative-housing developments of four to eight units. The focus must be on providing affordable housing so that young people can establish themselves in our neighborhood and older residents can remain.