St. Cloud City Council Gives Green Light to Housing Ordinance Change

(KNSI) – Homeowners in St. Cloud can now turn their property into multifamily housing.

The ordinance change would let properties in the city convert space into rental properties by allowing them to build a 200- to 800-square-foot addition that is either attached or detached. People can also convert some of their existing space into a unit for rent. The owner would be required to live on the property and get a rental license.

This model is a form of light touch-density housing, which experts say will increase the housing supply in urbanized areas.

Councilman Dave Masters gave it the thumbs up and hopes it will open up housing in the heart of St. Cloud.” And I feel that will encourage more people to renovate and restore older historic homes in the St. Cloud area. Also, I think that the additional apartments can be added to the property will allow for some more affordable housing.”

Officials think the option will help the large baby boomer population stay in their homes as they retire.

Masters doesn’t expect a flood of people converting their homes but says it’s a start to getting a handle on the housing shortage. “I think it is another tool in the toolbox. And we’ll see where this takes us. I think, once developers look at it and see what is possible, some of the housing costs don’t in the area around the college have decreased. And that might spur some redevelopment.”

St. Cloud is predicted to need more than 1,100 homes by 2040.

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