Housing

Minneapolis is getting close to enacting an ordinance that city officials hope will boost the supply of affordable housing in the city.

Rochester is poised to open a new overnight warming shelter this winter for people experiencing homelessness. It’s part of a broader effort among city officials and local organizations aimed at better assisting the city’s growing homeless population.

The city of Duluth plans to give away vacant lots to encourage the development of more affordable housing, to help put a dent in what Mayor Emily Larson calls a housing “crisis.”

Forty percent of the units will be within reach of families making about $30,000 a year. Rent would not be much more than a week's income for them.

In addition to fees, some renters have to register their dogs’ DNA so apartment managers can police poop pickup.

The plan includes $1 billion for a mortgage assistance fund for first-time homebuyers in the state, and $1 billion for an open line of credit to develop "very low- to moderate-income housing."

This month, area builders pulled more permits than for any other October in more than 15 years. So far this year, construction firms have sought permits for nearly 13,000 housing units, a 70 percent increase from three years ago.

Lower costs and speed of construction could help address affordable housing crunch.

The broad vision for how the city will look in the future has drawn criticism for its zoning changes, but city officials say they’re not seeing a surge in interest in building development.

Hennepin County will add 50 temporary shelter beds next week. A year after the encampment along Hiawatha Avenue started, advocates say the problem is worse than before.