MHP Connect

We're celebrating grants from the Otto Bremer Trust and Minnesota Housing!

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Created: Thursday, 06 June 2019 15:24

Written by Laura Proescholdt

MHP is celebrating a $75,000 grant awarded by the Otto Bremer Trust! Announced in May, the grant will help MHP grow our impact through general operating support. 

We’re also excited to announce a $40,000 award from Minnesota Housing, which will support MHP’s technical and financial assistance in Greater Minnesota communities. 

“We’re thrilled and grateful for these investments in MHP,” said Anne Mavity, Executive Director. “Our team is ready and eager to expand our impact in Minnesota and beyond. The support we’ve received from the Otto Bremer Trust and Minnesota Housing will be essential to making that happen.” 

Learn more about MHP’s work to build capacity in rural communities.

Teams consider what's next as Housing Institute 6 wraps up

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Created: Thursday, 06 June 2019 15:15

Written by Laura Proescholdt

For 18 months as part of MHP’s Housing Institute, teams of local leaders from three Minnesota regions have been working hard to advance a housing-related project to positively impact their communities. The 2018-19 Institute culminated in a final workshop in Willmar, Minnesota on May 14 and 15. 

Through workshops that provide peer-to-peer learning, presentations from leading experts, and custom support from MHP’s technical assistance team, the Housing Institute provides a platform for rural communities to tackle some of their most pressing housing needs. 

For example, during this round of the Housing Institute, the MNH3 team (New Ulm, Gaylord, Gibbon, and Winthrop) completed a regional housing website and a silly advertisement to promote it. Gaylord and New Ulm also created plans to support a flurry of new housing development. 

“We’re so proud of these teams for their continued engagement and dedication,” said Community Development Deputy Director Sarah Bellefuil. “They’ve learned new skills that will impact their communities well beyond the projects they tackled during the Institute.”

Read more: Teams consider what's next as Housing Institute 6 wraps up

Investors Council recap: The Housing Horizon

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Created: Thursday, 06 June 2019 13:17

Written by Laura Proescholdt

What’s on the housing horizon? More than 135 MHP Investors Council members and guests engaged that question at a dynamic convening last week.

Michael Lander of Lander Group — a real estate developer and broker, urban planner, speaker, new urbanism advocate, and expert on Smart Growth and transportation policy — illuminated obstacles and opportunities as communities work to maintain affordability and attract and retain residents.

From left: Commissioner Jennifer Ho speaks with Trent Bowman of Klein Bank

From transportation and zoning, to building regulation and investor participation, Lander pointed out that success requires commitment, resources, and creativity. “We need to triple, quadruple the people in this room who are working on this issue everyday,” Lander said. “More people committed to this issue means more resources — and we need to increase our resources for affordable development significantly. The issue of the day across the country is social equity and affordable lifestyles.”

Read more: Investors Council recap: The Housing Horizon

Announcing MHP's 2019 Outstanding Advocates!

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Created: Thursday, 30 May 2019 10:55

Written by Laura Proescholdt

MHP is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2019 Outstanding Advocate awards! These awards recognize community members and selected organizations for demonstrated dedication to affordable housing. During the 2019 session, these advocates engaged their elected officials, motivated others to advocate, and raised the public profile of affordable housing issues. They shared personal and professional experience to further MHP’s policy agenda and secure more resources for affordable housing.   

From left: MHP Policy Director Elizabeth Glidden with Outstanding Advocates Sarah Larson, Buffy Beranek, Jonathan Weinhagen (accepting the award on behalf of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce), and MHP Executive Director Anne Mavity and Deputy Policy Director Libby Murphy. Not pictured: Sheila Kiscaden, Marie Rivers, and Linda Soderstrom

MHP’s work would be impossible without the partnership of these outstanding individuals. We’re incredibly grateful for all the ways in which they used their voices, ingenuity, talent, and resources to draw attention to housing as a critical public issue. These awards are a small gesture in appreciation of big contributions! 

2019 Outstanding Advocates 

• Buffy Beranek, Executive Director, Southeast Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority 
• Sheila Kiscaden, Olmsted County Commissioner
• Sarah Larson, Housing Development Specialist, Landon Group 
• Marie Rivers, President, Sven Clogs
• Linda Soderstrom, Community Organizer
• Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce

Read more: Announcing MHP's 2019 Outstanding Advocates!