More housing restrictions being considered for Saint Paul

I weighed in on this with my city council member and actually got a response (from an aide).

(http://www.startribune.com/communities-push-for-limits-on-sober-homes-other-group-housing/374384441/)

…almost identical to article on same topic from 2008:

(http://www.startribune.com/neighbors-can-weigh-in-on-sober-houses/15858292/)

I think local politicians need to recognize that neighborhood groups are not representative of the residents of an area. Minneapolis officials have actually pointed this out, to their great credit.

These groups are founded and run to use political power to protect the real estate investments of incumbent homeowners. Their mission statements might as well be some variation of "Keeping everyone everyone out and preventing any and all change".

I’m sick of these groups.

Dear Councilmember Derp,

I have followed the recent debate over increased sober house and communal living restrictions and I encourage you to vote against tightening these requirements.

People with addictions are considered disabled under the law. In addition the disparate impact concept upheld by the Supreme Court last year makes it clear that local housing restrictions will come under increased legal scrutiny in the future. In 2008 Mayor Coleman warned the Council about the risks of litigation that come with further restrictions. Saint Paul housing administrators also told the Council in 2008 that the current rules were confusing and complex.

In their Powerpoint submitted to the Council, the Merriam Park neighborhood group emphasized intangibles such as "balance" above tangibles such as the dire need for housing for vulnerable groups. At best this represents honest people who want an idyllic traditional neighborhood. At worst it is incumbent homeowners using the power of law to keep out anyone who does not look like them: students, disabled people, those recovering from addiction.

In any case the neighborhood group did not cite any specific problem that would warrant more restrictions.

Please consider this input in your vote. Thank you for your hard work.

Sincerely,

Bob Bobison

3820 Brown Dookie Parkway

Saint Paul MN 55116