MHP Connect

Written by Brian Muhs

Created: 12 July 2021

MHP would like to thank our 2021 Capitol Pathways intern, Hibo Ali! Hibo was a great addition to our policy team during this legislative session. She attended committee hearings, connected with legislators, and contributed to MHP's newsletter, all while providing research and analysis on source of income discrimination in Minnesota. 

This is the second year that MHP has hosted a Capitol Pathways intern, a program of the Citizen's League. Thank you, Hibo, for all of your hard work. We can't wait to see what's next for you! Read more about Hibo’s experience at MHP.

Reflections by Hibo Ali, MHP's Capitol Pathways intern for 2021:

While interning with MHP this legislative session, I had the wonderful opportunity to get hands-on learning in the policy space. While housing has been a policy interest of mine for a while, I’m incredibly glad I was placed with MHP through the Capitol Pathways Program in order to better familiarize myself with housing in Minnesota. Prior to my internship, I wasn’t that familiar with the legislative process in Minnesota. Being able to attend meetings with lawmakers and community leaders has allowed me to gain knowledge about the policy world that I wouldn’t be able to get from my political science coursework.

A few highlights of my internship experience include writing reports on MHP’s biweekly legislative calls for MHP Connect, attending and speaking at lobbying meetings, and conducting informational interviews. My most notable experience was researching and reporting my findings on source of income discrimination in Minnesota. This report in the form of a policy memorandum was the culmination of 3 months of research. Presenting my findings to the policy team during my last week here was a great way to end my internship experience.

The opportunities I was given to develop my writing and speaking abilities through these various methods will undoubtedly help me in the future. This internship was an invaluable learning experience for me because it gave me a huge amount of independence as well as responsibility. I’m confident that my overall internship experience will help prepare me for the working world once I graduate. Thank you, MHP!

Written by Brian Muhs

Created: 28 June 2021

On Friday, June 25^th MHP hosted a webinar on our latest edition of MHP’s research series, Market Watch: Northland Region. The report tracks key trends in the unsubsidized multifamily rental markets across the state. The seventh report of the series, Market Watch: Northland Region, analyzes data for 6,449 unsubsidized rental units in properties with four or more units in Minnesota’s Northland Region. 

Date: Jun. 25, 2021
Guests: Gabriela Norton of MHP, Daryl Olson of the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO), Pam Kramer of LISC Duluth and Isaac Meyer of KOOTASCA Community Action
Summary: The webinar featured an overview of Northland NOAH data and findings by report author Gabriela Norton, MHP's Research Manager, and a community perspectives panel of housing advocates from the Northland/Arrowhead region featuring Daryl Olson of the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO), Pam Kramer of LISC Duluth and Isaac Meyer of KOOTASCA Community Action. Learn more about the panelists.

Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here, Meeting chat (PDF): here

Written by Brian Muhs

Created: 11 June 2021

Is your community facing a lack of affordable housing? Is a demographic group in your hometown underserved? Do you work for an organization that could benefit from enhanced local knowledge, training, and/or strategic partnerships? If so, The Minnesota Housing Partnership is announcing an exciting opportunity your team won’t want to miss out on! 

MHP is excited to open its Request for Technical Assistance (RFTA) Application! MHP Is now seeking applicants for the renowned Strengthening Rural Communities Program. Funded through MHP’s eighth-consecutive Rural Capacity Building award from HUD, MHP’s program delivers technical and financial assistance to rural entities and native nations; increasing their capacity to meet current and future housing needs. Awardees enter engagements lasting up to four years with our staff at no cost. By increasing local capacity, our organization positions beneficiaries to achieve their unique vision and sustain successes long after work with MHP is complete.  

From 2014-2018 alone, MHP staff provided direct assistance to over 50 beneficiaries through customized and individual workplans; including assistance with 28 community development projects (examples of which include, but are not limited to business incubators, business development centers, or master plans). Our TA experts helped put 289 affordable units into the development process and complete 21 new units, while sustaining 140 through rehab and preservation efforts. MHP was also critical to the success of six new businesses in rural communities and assisted 28 others making a big impact in economies across the United States.

Our TA Specialists have the expertise to assist with a diverse set of issues, including (but not limited to) housing development, housing program development, organizational development, funding and resource development, and community engagement and outreach. You can read about some of our engagements or our funding by clicking on the links below: 

Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation in International Falls, Minnesota 

Unit Preservation in Spokane, Washington 

Peer-To-Peer Training through our Housing Institute Program 

More information on our most recent RCB Award 

Housing entities serving (or attempting to serve) communities of 50,000 individuals or less are generally eligible for assistance through this program. MHP is able to work with several different types of organization including rural housing development organizations (RHDOs), local units of government and political subdivisions, tribal governments and tribal corporate entities, and CHDOs and CDCs. Currently state-wide or state-affiliated entities are not eligible for the Strengthening Rural Communities Program.  

While beneficiaries must qualify as one of the above, no official designation or certification is required. If you’re unsure of your organization’s designation, our TA Staff are happy to discuss eligibility and provide guidance prior to entering the application process.  

Interested parties will go through a competitive review, and the deadline to apply is July 23rd. Click HERE to access the application directly. An MHP Representative will follow up within forty-five days to schedule a collaborative review of your application. MHP is an equal opportunity assistance provider and affirmatively markets its Technical Assistance to communities facing historic housing disparities. More information on these efforts and paper copies of all materials are available upon request.  

We hope to work with you soon! Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance with the application process or with questions.  you can reach out to our staff via the contact information below with questions or concerns. 

Via Phone: 651-925-5536 

Via Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Via Fax: 651.649.1725 

Written by Brian Muhs

Created: 08 June 2021

The tax bill is still being negotiated by State legislative leaders. Two of MHP’s top housing priorities are in play. But they need a strong show of support. Please email Tax Conference Committee Co-Chairs Paul Marquart (DFL, Dilworth) and Carla Nelson (Republican, Rochester).  

What’s in play:  

• 4d property tax relief for affordable housing providers  
• The Housing Tax Credit for new development and preservation for single and multi-family homes. 

Suggested language for your email or phone communications:  

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There is not enough affordable and workforce housing of any type, meaning not all Minnesotans have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing or opportunities to build wealth. The Housing Tax Credit provides flexibility: it can work in communities of all sizes and support a variety of housing development and preservation. The Housing Tax Credit promotes public-private partnerships: it is easy for individuals and business to support affordable and workforce housing. Please support the Housing Tax Credit.

Housing providers need tax relief now. Modifications to the 4d tax classification will ensure that housing providers can support their residents by freeing up more funds to keep rents affordable and maintain safe and healthy homes. Please support modifying the 4d tax classification.  

Thank you, 

[your name; org (if applicable); address; contact 

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Send your emails to:  

• Chair Marquart: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Cc Committee staff Nathan Jesson : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Chair Nelson: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Cc Committee staff Brian Steinhoff: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

If you have an additional moment, please also email Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Gazelka: 

• Speaker Hortman: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Majority Leader Gazelka mail form link: https://www.senate.mn/members/email-form/1169