In 2017, MHP marked major milestones, celebrated significant successes and transitioned to new leadership. Here's what we accomplished thanks to YOUR engagement, and a glimpse at our exciting plans for 2018.
Goodbye to Chip, Welcome to Anne
After nearly three decades growing MHP into one of the nation’s strongest state affordable housing advocacy organizations, Chip Halbach retired from his position as Executive Director, leaving a shining legacy of innovative and effective leadership that has directly impacted so many. Bringing new energy and decades of experience in the field, Anne Mavity came on as Executive Director to continue and expand MHP’s vital role in communications, capacity building and advocacy to advance affordable housing and community development in Minnesota and beyond.
In 2018, we'll chart our course through a strategic planning process that integrates equity and hones our role in the affordable housing and community development space to increase our impact.
State of the State's Housing kicked off year of special reports
In January, MHP released its first State of the State’s Housing report — a comprehensive and compelling look at important metrics at the state, region and county levels that has been viewed and downloaded nearly 10,000 times. In addition, MHP published three special reports:
- A New Approach to Fair Housing Community Engagement;
- Community First: Ensuring housing development meets the demands of the market and existing residents; and
- Key Housing Issues Facing Immigrants Communities in the Twin Cities.
In 2018, we’ll debut a new research series on rental trends and naturally occurring affordable housing in the Twin Cities region.
Advocacy at the Capitol(s) protected affordable housing
At the state legislature in 2017, MHP provided significant advocacy for affordable housing funding and policies with more than 135 in-person meetings, 90 calls and 30 letters or testimony. The legislature passed MHP’s legislation clearly granting local communities the power to create Local Housing Trust Funds, and MHP played a key role in the Homes for All coalition securing $77 million in bonds for affordable housing and preserving critical resources in the Challenge Fund. At the federal level, MHP worked with national and local partners to inform Minnesota stakeholders and successfully rally support that preserved critical tools for affordable housing in the tax reform bill.
In 2018, we’ll work to secure a state match for Local Housing Trust Funds, push for the creation of a new housing tax credit and lead the charge for a bold bonding ask; sign up for our Capitol Connect Enews for updates!
Housing Institute resulted in new homes
In 2017, MHP launched its fifth Housing Institute, bringing together housing leaders and stakeholders to share their experiences, learn best practices, and develop creative solutions to bring quality affordable housing to their communities in Northwest Minnesota. Showcasing the impact of the program, participants from Housing Institute 4 celebrated major wins in 2017, breaking ground on Mysa House, which will create 24 affordable rental homes for seniors in Mora, and Lady Luck Estates, which will provide 28 townhouse-style rental homes in Hinckley.
In 2018, MHP will bring this resource to west central and southwest Minnesota with the start of the Housing Institute 6!
Pilot Institutes took flight
MHP blazed new ground with its Institute model in 2017, launching the organization’s first Regional Institute, which will assist the Flint Hills Regional Council in convening stakeholders to address housing and community development needs in their rural region of Kansas. The first Native Community Development Institute (NCDI) also came to a successful close with three teams making progress on workforce development, addressing homelessness and developing a master plan (pictured above).
In 2018, we’ll launch our second NCDI with native teams from across the state.
Convenings ignited conversations on urgent issues
Partnering with Twin Cities Public Broadcasting and other advocacy organizations, MHP debuted a new documentary — “Sold Out: Affordable Housing at Risk” — showcasing tenant stories, highlighting the community-wide impact when unsubsidized affordable housing is lost, and bringing to the forefront solutions to address the growing challenge. With Alliance Housing, we also co-hosted Matt Desmond, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,” who shared a powerful call to action that “we can’t fix poverty in America without fixing housing.” Over several months, MHP worked with a Tax Exempt Bond Steering Committee and solicited input from stakeholders statewide, resulting in significant agreements around how to improve the state program.
In 2018, we'll continue to convene timely and impactful conversations with a six-month event series on the history of and continued fight for fair housing.
Strengthening Rural Communities program expanded
Through our Strengthening Rural Communities program, MHP began work to assist on affordable housing and community development in eight new communities in six states, including Ajo, Arizona; the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico; the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County in North Carolina; and the Yankton Sioux Tribe in South Dakota.
Stay tuned in 2018 for opportunities to apply for technical assistance from our community development team through this MHP program!
Investors Council exceeded 100 organizational members
The membership of the MHP Investors Council grew to its largest yet, exceeding 100 organizations representing the many aspects of the affordable housing sector. Throughout 2017, hundreds of individuals engaged in advocacy, networking opportunities and learning, with new happy hour events and a special presentation from the Harvard Joint Center on Housing Studies.
In 2018, we’ll continue to provide quarterly breakfasts and expanded programming; join today!
Join us in 2018!
MHP takes pride in its role as a convener, bringing together different voices and organizations within the affordable housing and community development landscape to improve the conditions of home and community in Minnesota and nationwide. Our strength comes from collaboration; join us in 2018! Get all the latest updates on our work by subscribing to our Enews and following us on social media!
