Housing opportunities in Albert Lea have grown, and many of the city’s neighborhoods are cleaner and safer from extensive demolition and rehabilitation projects, according to a study released at Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting.

Saturday, January 27, 2001

Housing opportunities in Albert Lea have grown, and many of the city’s neighborhoods are cleaner and safer from extensive demolition and rehabilitation projects, according to a study released at Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting.

Steve Lindner, administrative analyst for the city, conducted the study with City Planner Bob Graham using city records of building and wrecking permits. He also discussed housing market trends with four local realtors.

&uot;There’s quite a bit of new housing being established in town,&uot; Lindner told the commission. &uot;The housing market has grown, especially in the last six years.&uot;

The study sites some strong statistics:

nOver the last 21 years, the city has averaged 29 new housing units per year and a net gain of 18 housing units per year.

nOver the last 11 years, the city has averaged 31.5 new housing units per year and a net gain of 19 housing units per year.

nOver the last six years, the city has experienced a net gain of 96 structures and 115 residential units.

nOver the last 20 years, 146 structures containing 217 living units have been torn down.

nSince 1988, the city has worked in cooperation with residents to rehab 106 structures with 131 units.

Despite the consistent growth, the city still has a shortage of housing, particularly for lower income individuals and families, Lindner said.

&uot;The rental market is tight even at the higher levels,&uot; said Lindner. &uot;At any one time, there are only a few vacancies, if any. The city is pretty much following the national trend,&uot;

Graham told the commission that the housing in the city has been a concern for some time. The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has a new housing committee, and the city has sponsored recent landlord workshops to help inform people interested in building rentals.

&uot;We’re trying to address some housing issues, and this

study is one part of that,&uot; Graham said.

The housing study will become part of a document called the Consolidated Community Development Plan, said Graham. The city also plans to distribute surveys this summer to learn about housing needs, distances people are willing to commute and desired types of housing.

&uot;The last time the city’s housing plan was revised was

1972,&uot; Graham told the commission. &uot;We’re going to address that, too.&uot;