MHP Connect

#Homes4AllMN housing story: “I watched this place be built. It was my last hope.”

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Created: Wednesday, 28 February 2018 10:26

Written by Laura Proescholdt

The blog below is cross-posted from Homes for All MN. Homes for All MN collects and shares housing stories to to show lawmakers the challenges Minnesotans are facing when it comes to having a safe, stable and affordable home. By sharing your story, you play a key part in gaining the support and understanding of elected officials and furthering Homes for All's mission to advance housing stability for all Minnesotans. Katie's story is part of that effort. Join Katie in sharing your story, and thanks for supporting Homes for All!

For Katie and her three young kids, homelessness became a routine after nine months of moving from shelter to shelter. Once a week, they moved to a different church in the Rochester, hauling all that they had, sticking to a strict schedule of meals and bedtimes, and spending every moment together.

Photo: Katie and her 4-year-old son in one of the Gage East community rooms

“Everyday, we had to be at the church a certain time, we had to eat dinner at a certain time, and in the morning we had to leave at a certain time,” Katie explains. “If we wanted to eat we had to be up at a certain time. Some weeks we’d stay out of Rochester, so we’d be in Eyota or Pine Island. I did not travel lightly because I didn’t want my kids to feel like they didn’t have what they needed. It was really overwhelming for me a lot of the time.”

Read more: #Homes4AllMN housing story: “I watched this place be built. It was my last hope.”

Minnesota Housing board update: Responding to proposed changes to project-based Section 8 contract

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Created: Monday, 26 February 2018 15:08

Written by Carolyn Szczepanski

In its February meeting, the board of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency heard highlights from the 2017 Program Assessment, approved the release of the proposed Housing Tax Credit 2020 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) for public comment, discussed the implications of a potential change to the administration of the project-based Section 8 program, and received an overview of the state's Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

Opening remarks

In her opening remarks, Commissioner Mary Tingerthal advised the board that she would be presenting an overview of the Affordable Housing Plan and Program Assessment Report to the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee the following week. She also shared some of the highlights of the Program Assessment Report, including the third consecutive year that the agency has invested more than $1 billion in programming to serve low- and moderate-income Minnesotans; more than 4,000 loans for homeowners in 2017 alone with more than one-third going to households of color; and an even split in investment in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota for competitively awarded funds.

Read more: Minnesota Housing board update: Responding to proposed changes to project-based Section 8 contract

Investors Council breakfast: Legislators affirm support for affordable housing

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Created: Friday, 23 February 2018 10:27

Written by Carolyn Szczepanski

Just two days after the start of the 2018 state legislative session, lawmakers and advocates came together at Carpenters Hall to galvanize nearly 100 members of MHP's Investors Council to leverage bipartisan support at the capitol and advance affordable housing across Minnesota. 

Under the theme of Strengthening our Bonds to Create Homes for All Minnesotans, MHP shared its 2018 legislative agenda — which includes $140 million for housing in the bonding bill, along with legislation incentivizing local housing trust funds and the creation of a new housing tax credit — and urged Investors Council members to get involved. Libby Murphy, MHP's Deputy Policy Director, and Tom O'Neil from Dougherty Mortgage (pictured right) emphasized the wide range of opportunities to advocate during the session, from meeting with legislators at the capitol to simply making a phone call or sending an email from the office. 

Driving home the importance and impact of advocacy, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle made clear that affordable housing is a bipartisan issue.

Read more: Investors Council breakfast: Legislators affirm support for affordable housing

Speakers Bureau for directly impacted communities launched in the Twin Cities

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Created: Thursday, 22 February 2018 06:19

Written by Laura Proescholdt

Have you been impacted by the shortage of affordable housing in the Twin Cities? We need your voice.

Too often the story about affordable housing is told by professionals in government, nonprofit, or the private sector. But we know the experts about housing challenges — and real solutions — need to come from those who are directly impacted. That’s why the New Vanguard Speakers Bureau is seeking Tenant Experts to share their insights as speakers and leaders in regional housing events and conversations.

The New Vanguard Speakers Bureau will provide training to participants and compensate speakers for their time and efforts through funding, support, childcare, and transportation.

JOIN US for an informational meeting on Thursday, March 1, 4 - 6 p.m. at Tapestry Church (7045 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield). Learn more about the Speakers Bureau, and co-create its core principles and structure. Regular meetings to follow the 3rd Thursday of March, May, and July. If you’re interested, but can’t make it, fill out our interest form — and share it with your networks: bit.ly/TCHSB-interest-form

Questions? Contact Laura Proescholdt at 651-925-5552 or laura.proescholdt@mhponline.org. Download the New Vanguard Speakers Bureau flyer: bit.ly/NVSB-flyer-ESP