MHP Connect

Historic shutdown continues, putting individuals, families, affordable homes at risk

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Created: Friday, 18 January 2019 13:59

Written by Laura Proescholdt

While some impacts of the now four-week federal government shutdown have been immediate, others are looming – and many are unknown. Advocacy groups across the country have been tracking the shutdown’s impacts on the ability of families and individuals to afford their homes. 

Severe impacts for people and properties with HUD Project-based Rental Assistance 

Of immediate and growing concern are impacts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) project-based rental assistance program, which serves over one million people in the United States. This program provides funds to help make privately-owned properties affordable by paying for a portion of residents’ rent. To receive this rental assistance, property owners must renew their contract with HUD each year. As of January 5, HUD failed to renew 650 Section 8 Project-Based rental assistance contracts that had expired in December prior to the shutdown, impacting 21,500 low-wealth households. In January and February, HUD anticipates another 1,050 contracts will expire.

Read more: Historic shutdown continues, putting individuals, families, affordable homes at risk

House Committee on Housing Policy and Finance convenes for their first hearing of the 2019 session

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Created: Friday, 18 January 2019 12:37

Written by Laura Proescholdt

The House Committee on Housing Policy and Finance met for the first time earlier this week. Committee members heard an overview of programs and outcomes from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, a report on the Minnesota Task Force on Housing goals, and the Prosperity’s Front Door campaign to create and motivate a cross-sector network to secure Minnesota’s housing future. 

Photo: Acooa Ellis (left) and Jeanne Crain, co-chairs of the Minnesota Task Force on Housing. Photo by Andrew VonBank of Session Daily.

With more than 550,000 Minnesota households paying more than they can afford for rent and a dramatic gap between the current and needed production of housing, Minnesota Housing Assistant Commissioner Ryan Baumtrog and Minnesota Housing Legislative Director Dan Kitzberger emphasized that the question is not whether to invest but how much, stressing that for every project Minnesota Housing funds, three shovel-ready projects go unfunded. And, as more Minnesotans live paycheck-to-paycheck due to rising costs and stagnating wages, more households are one emergency away from needing some form of one-time assistance to pay the rent or mortgage, making strong investments in Minnesota Housing programs essential for a thriving state.

Read more: House Committee on Housing Policy and Finance convenes for their first hearing of the 2019 session

Take action! Government shutdown puts thousands at risk of eviction and homelessness

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Created: Friday, 11 January 2019 12:02

Written by Elizabeth Glidden, MHP Director of Strategic Initiatives & Policy

The partial federal government shutdown, now at three weeks, is harming families and housing, with greatest impacts on low-income families served by affordable housing.  

Right: NLIHC map of expired or expiring HUD project-based rental assistance contracts. Explore NLIHC's interactive map.

Our poorest families, living in HUD-subsidized properties, are at tremendous risk. These residents could face eviction and homelessness, as the government has failed to pay contracts with private property owners. The National Low Income Housing Coalition has provided detailed information on impacts, including to public housing programs like Section 8 and housing for the elderly (Section 202), including expiring contracts which put housing for thousands at risk. 

Rural housing programs, along with the families that depend on them, have unique concerns, as tracked by the National Rural Housing Coalition. For instance, construction of affordable housing has been stopped in its tracks, with approved projects unable to move forward.

Read more: Take action! Government shutdown puts thousands at risk of eviction and homelessness

MHP honors outgoing board members and welcomes new members

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Created: Friday, 11 January 2019 11:33

Written by Laura Proescholdt

Heading into 2019, MHP said farewell to three board members and welcomed four. Outgoing board members include Paul Sween, Dominium; Carliee Witta Warner, Neighborworks America; and Joe Wheeler, Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (SEMMCHRA). New board members include Andrea Brennan, City of Minneapolis; Harry Melander, Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council; Buffy Beranek, SEMMCHRA; and Mark Moorhouse, Dominium.

Photo: (From left) Outgoing board members Paul Sween, Carilee Witta Warner, and Joe Wheeler

Outgoing board members’ service to MHP — and their deep commitment to affordable housing — will have ripple effects beyond the organization and their term of service.

“We’re grateful to Paul, Carilee, and Joe for their many years of dedicated leadership on MHP’s board, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from each of them,” MHP Executive Director Anne Mavity said. “These leaders have committed their careers to advancing affordable housing and community development. Their insights and expertise will have lasting impact on MHP and communities in Minnesota and beyond.”

Read more: MHP honors outgoing board members and welcomes new members