ThaoMee Xiong, MHP's Policy Director, was recognized last week for her standout achievements this past legislative session at the fifth annual Politics in Minnesota/Capitol Report Leaders in Public Policy Awards celebration.
Xiong served as co-chair of the policy committee of the Homes for All alliance, which led the successful effort to secure $100 million in bonds for housing at the Minnesota Legislature in 2014.
As part of the awards event, she was recognized for her service in the category of Public Policy Achievement (Housing).
Steve Jahn, Politics in Minnesota publisher noted that the bonding proposal for affordable housing led by the Homes for All alliance was "well-received by both parties," and that Homes for All deserves credit alongside Xiong.
Xiong believes that her contributions working on behalf of affordable housing are made possible by the voices and talents of the many people with whom she has the opportunity to work.
"Our legislative victory in 2014 was the culmination of several years of hard work by the Homes for All alliance, legislative champions at the Capitol, and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency," Xiong said.
"I have been honored to work alongside dedicated and visionary organizers with the courage to fight for a bonding bill to bring substantial benefit to low-income Minnesotans in all corners of the state."
In particular, she expressed gratitude to the public housing residents, small business owners, new immigrants, and affordable housing developers who visited the Capitol to share personal stories and technical expertise with legislators. She believes their voices helped policymakers better understand the real-life impact of affordable housing and the bonding bill.
Each year, an independent panel convened by Politics in Minnesota/Capitol Report selects Leaders in Public Policy from amongst those nominated for a variety of categories. The award is meant to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Minnesota's political, public policy, or civic environment in the last year, since political work can often be thankless and unacknowledged.
MHP congratulates ThaoMee Xiong as well as the entire Homes for All alliance for this recognition of oustanding work in 2014 on behalf of Minnesotans in need of housing they can afford.
