With more explanation, let’s take a deeper look at Little Cottages and why this is a key opportunity for all of us in the next decade.
Reminder: A Little Cottage replaces the 2 car garage. These little cottages are around 500 square feet.
Termed a best practice from across the country, these Little Cottages can address many of society’s challenges.
1. Affordable Housing. For many the prices of houses in markets and the combination of tightening credit markets have left a huge gap between potential buyers and potential sellers. Even those who have invested in rental property with their higher mortgages are forced to raise rents to levels that are not sustainable for the working poor. These Little Cottages can represent a stepping stone by allowing people to get into these Little Cottages at a fraction of the cost of a “house” whether it’s ownership or as a rental.
2. Jobs. While these Little Cottages are not for everyone, everywhere, within each community there is a place and a need. The Little Cottages do not create the same job creation that the housing boom brought, it in itself allows the opportunity in the industry to get back on their feet. Of course, with housing investment, comes consumer investment in other items such as furniture, appliances, etc. which stimulates our economy.
3. Aging Population. Throughout Minnesota our population is aging as “baby boomers” are reaching retirement age. The next decade will see a record number of retirees. In many cases the 3-BR, 2-level home becomes a obstacle for daily living. The Little Cottages become an opportunity for our seniors to maintain an independent lifestyle.
4. Health Care. You bet, I said health care. As time has shown, our aging population that moves into assisted living and nursing homes brings with it a significantly higher cost than another few years available to them in a Little Cottage.
5. Environment. Very quickly said, this program protects our green space. More importantly, this keeps us from the urban sprawl of developing new roads and services which we are already struggling to pay for.
6. Tax Value. With the recession, property values have decreased. This is negatively impacting local government and school board budgets. By adding Little Cottages to a property, we are now enhancing the value of that propert and increasing its tax value. A benefit to our local government and schools.
7. Employment Boom. In the next decade Duluth will be faced with the challenge of replacing thousands of retiring workers. This will cause an influx of workers needed to replace these that are retiring. This influx will create a need for new, affordable housing.
8. Family. As I age, I would like to have the opportunity to develop my 2-stall garage into a Little Cottage for my Wife and I to retire to while we hand over the big house to one of our children who, I hope, is most willing to help us as we continue to age.
THE BIG ONE: It is what it means, but it may not mean what you think. Little Cottages by themselves are only going to be one tiny piece of a big puzzle that stabalizes our economy and addressing our social concerns while moving forward. Most importantly, this is not a government program. This is an opportunity for private investment in their own property which can have a transforming result. As loud as I can say, this is the moment that government needs to look at its regulations which are road blocks for this type of development. The difficult part with St. Paul in a partisan government is when we say, “redesign regulations,” the most common response is another “Gulf Oil Disaster.” Perhaps now that this is written for public view, those that can, will. And those that shant, will stay home.
This election isn’t about party. It is about electing the right people, supporting the right ideas, no matter where they came from.
I, Tony Salls, approve this message.
The Big Society Win Win
With more explanation, let’s take a deeper look at Little Cottages and why this is a key opportunity for all of us in the next decade.
Reminder: A Little Cottage replaces the 2 car garage. These little cottages are around 500 square feet.
Termed a best practice from across the country, these Little Cottages can address many of society’s challenges.
1. Affordable Housing. For many the prices of houses in markets and the combination of tightening credit markets have left a huge gap between potential buyers and potential sellers. Even those who have invested in rental property with their higher mortgages are forced to raise rents to levels that are not sustainable for the working poor. These Little Cottages can represent a stepping stone by allowing people to get into these Little Cottages at a fraction of the cost of a “house” whether it’s ownership or as a rental.
2. Jobs. While these Little Cottages are not for everyone, everywhere, within each community there is a place and a need. The Little Cottages do not create the same job creation that the housing boom brought, it in itself allows the opportunity in the industry to get back on their feet. Of course, with housing investment, comes consumer investment in other items such as furniture, appliances, etc. which stimulates our economy.
3. Aging Population. Throughout Minnesota our population is aging as “baby boomers” are reaching retirement age. The next decade will see a record number of retirees. In many cases the 3-BR, 2-level home becomes a obstacle for daily living. The Little Cottages become an opportunity for our seniors to maintain an independent lifestyle.
4. Health Care. You bet, I said health care. As time has shown, our aging population that moves into assisted living and nursing homes brings with it a significantly higher cost than another few years available to them in a Little Cottage.
5. Environment. Very quickly said, this program protects our green space. More importantly, this keeps us from the urban sprawl of developing new roads and services which we are already struggling to pay for.
6. Tax Value. With the recession, property values have decreased. This is negatively impacting local government and school board budgets. By adding Little Cottages to a property, we are now enhancing the value of that propert and increasing its tax value. A benefit to our local government and schools.
7. Employment Boom. In the next decade Duluth will be faced with the challenge of replacing thousands of retiring workers. This will cause an influx of workers needed to replace these that are retiring. This influx will create a need for new, affordable housing.
8. Family. As I age, I would like to have the opportunity to develop my 2-stall garage into a Little Cottage for my Wife and I to retire to while we hand over the big house to one of our children who, I hope, is most willing to help us as we continue to age.
THE BIG ONE: It is what it means, but it may not mean what you think. Little Cottages by themselves are only going to be one tiny piece of a big puzzle that stabalizes our economy and addressing our social concerns while moving forward. Most importantly, this is not a government program. This is an opportunity for private investment in their own property which can have a transforming result. As loud as I can say, this is the moment that government needs to look at its regulations which are road blocks for this type of development. The difficult part with St. Paul in a partisan government is when we say, “redesign regulations,” the most common response is another “Gulf Oil Disaster.” Perhaps now that this is written for public view, those that can, will. And those that shant, will stay home.
This election isn’t about party. It is about electing the right people, supporting the right ideas, no matter where they came from.
I, Tony Salls, approve this message.