St. Cloud City Council vote paves way for housing first project

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2 days ago

A recent St. Cloud City Council vote to amend a planned unit development paves the way for a new housing first project brought forth by Center City Housing.
On June 2, councilmembers approved moving forward with the project in a 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Mike Conway, Scott Brodeen and Mike Johnson opposing.
The city's resolution outlines specific requirements, such as on-site supervision and prohibits use as a temporary housing facility.
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The project, Elm Ridge Apartments, could create a 40-unit apartment building at the old YMCA site, 1530 Northway Dr., near St. Cloud Technical and Community College. It's a long-term living facility rather than a homeless shelter, and it aims to help residents establish the skills and rental history to become more independent.
"Living on the streets is not a very good treatment plan," Center City Housing Executive Director Nancy Cashman previously said. "Traditionally, nobody makes good progress while living on the streets."
At a May 13 St. Cloud Planning Commission meeting, Cashman said the organization obtained a subsidy to cover roughly $700 for rent and supplemental services.
A National Low Income Housing Coalition report states housing first programs, like the Elm Ridge Apartments project, reduced homelessness by 88% and improved housing stability by 41%.
It wasn't an easy vote for many city council members, as several neighbors showed up to the city council meeting in opposition, citing safety concerns.
Center City Housing doesn't require sobriety to gain access to its housing program, citing its housing first approach. This concerned some neighbors and businesses.
"This facility would allow individuals to live there without requiring sobriety — a deeply alarming prospect for those of us who live, work and raise children in this community," St. Cloud Foot and Ankle Center Clinic Administrator Reggie Gwost wrote in an emailed public comment. "Our neighborhood is home to two day cares, a charter school, an academy for autistic children, a nearby college campus, and several medical facilities. These are places meant to foster growth, healing and safety — not to be placed next to a high-risk population without support or oversight."
During the June 2 city council public hearing, St. Cloud Technical and Community College President Lori Kloos also opposed the project. She expressed worries about how the project's residents might wander onto the college's campus and contribute to a perception of reduced safety, which she said could impact enrollment.
"I think of our sister institution across town at St. Cloud State University. I love our partnership. I value them, and I know that there's this perception of safety, whether it's real or perceived, and I hear people say, 'Well, I'm not going to go there because it's not safe,'" Kloos said. "I do not want that for either them or for us. I want to make sure that we are safe, we are secure."
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These woes resonated with the opposing trio, who questioned the proposed location. Johnson pointed to a portion of public hearing participants opposing the development.
"I fully, fully agree that we need people to survive and to thrive in these areas, and my heart goes out to them too, prayers go out to them, but I can't get behind this location," Brodeen said.
Cashman told city council members the organization doesn't have a lead on any other locations.
"We've looked at a couple of sites, and we've been denied a couple or not accepted, and then (with) this site the doors have been opening," Cashman said.
Those voting in favor of the project referenced its need and Center City Housing's previous success.
"I have a lot of respect for your organization and how you conduct your businesses and how they're run," Councilmember Dave Masters said.
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Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: 40-unit housing first development could come to St. Cloud