MHP Connect

MN Housing Board approves 2018 Qualified Allocation Plan

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Created: Friday, 03 June 2016 06:50

At the monthly board meeting of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Commissioner Mary Tingerthal (pictured right) updated the board on new tax credit legislation, the Wells Fargo LIFT program and recent press concerning artist housing. The board also approved the Agency’s 2018 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), which includes new scoring criteria for Indian Reservations and process changes for developer applicants. Agency policy staff updated the board on the results of the tumultuous 2016 Legislative Session and the board discussed a $4 million request from Habitat for Humanity for its newly minted home purchase program. Read more below.

Read more: MN Housing Board approves 2018 Qualified Allocation Plan

Legislative session recap: Wins (and loss) for affordable housing

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Created: Thursday, 02 June 2016 11:46

By Jeremy Schroeder, MHP Policy Director

The looming threat of housing projects failing. The continued loss of affordable units. The prospect of missing out on federal money. And the upcoming elections in November.

When the Minnesota state legislature convened on a cold afternoon in March, we hoped all those pressing factors would compel elected officials to act. But, as the weeks rushed by, our hopes for a productive session faded.

As part of the Homes for All campaign, the Minnesota Housing Partnership supported $130 million dollars in bonds for housing, specifically $110 million in housing infrastructure bonds and $20 million in general obligation bonds. These bonds would support home ownership as well as preservation of existing homes. The bill would also expand the eligible uses for these fund to include senior housing.

Unfortunately, after a flurry of last-minute confusion and chaotic deal-brokering, the legislature adjourned without passing a bonding bill. Still, by advocacy standards, the Minnesota Housing Partnership had a great year.

Read more: Legislative session recap: Wins (and loss) for affordable housing

Tribal teams collaborate on food sovereignty, affordable housing and more

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Created: Wednesday, 01 June 2016 12:09

The Native Community Development Institute supports and strengthens the capacity of Native communities to reach their community development goals through collaborative, self-styled trainings, peer-to-peer workshops, and customized assistance. 

Hosted by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, the Native Community Development Institute (NCDI) met in May for its second two-day workshop. Similar to the Housing Institute, sponsored by MHP and the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, the NCDI is an opportunity to build capacity and foster regional collaboration among Tribal departments from three tribes in Northwest Minnesota. The White Earth, Leech Lake, and Red Lake teams have expressed interest in a wide range of issues, from land use planning to food sovereignty to increasing community engagement.

Read more: Tribal teams collaborate on food sovereignty, affordable housing and more

New Report: Growing Number of Minnesotans Can't Afford Rent

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Created: Friday, 27 May 2016 11:29

The Out of Reach report, produced annually by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, spotlights the growing gap between what rental housing costs and how much renters earn. According to analysis by the Minnesota Housing Partnership, Minnesota residents in every corner of the state face significant housing hardships.

“Minnesota must face the growing crisis of families being unable to cover housing costs,” said Chip Halbach, Executive Director of the Minnesota Housing Partnership. “The price we will pay for our inaction will be seen across the age spectrum, from school children with unstable homes falling behind in their studies to senior citizens forgoing medicine and food to retain their shelter.”

“The shortage of stable and sustainable rental housing is hurting communities throughout Minnesota — and we need to address this issue now,” said Jeremy Schroeder, Policy Director for the Minnesota Housing Partnership. “The rising costs of rent and the shrinking supply of available units makes growth in greater Minnesota impossible. It’s clear that the most important way we can help struggling working families is to provide more access to affordable, stable housing.”

Read more: New Report: Growing Number of Minnesotans Can't Afford Rent