MHP Connect

MHP applauds bipartisan Minnesota support for Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019

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Created: Monday, 11 November 2019 13:07

Written by Andy Birkey

Almost every member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, has co-sponsored important legislation that would expand the low income housing tax credit. The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Improvement Act (S.1703, H.R. 3077) will significantly enhance affordable housing by increasing allocations to the tax credit by 50 percent and strengthening the credit, including reforms to increase the utility of the tax credit in rural areas.

Already, Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, and Betty McCollum in the House, and Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar in the Senate have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. On Nov. 5, Rep. Tom Emmer announced co-sponsorship while at Carver Crossing, a multifamily housing development, built by Ron Clark Construction, made possible with low income housing tax credits and affordable to those earning 60% of the area median income. This came after Rep. Pete Stauber added his name to the bill in mid-October. As of early November, Reps. Jim Hagedorn and Collin Peterson are the only members that have not yet co-sponsored the bill.

Since 1986, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) has financed more than three million homes for low-income households across the United States, including veterans, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. LIHTC is an important component of the financing for most affordable housing developments. With a 50 increase in tax credit allocations, 5,971 additional affordable homes can be built in Minnesota over the next 10 years.

 “It is terrific to see this level of support from Minnesota’s congressional delegation on AHCIA,” said MHP Executive Director Anne Mavity. “Minnesota urgently needs more affordable housing, and this is one of our most important tools to get it done. MHP urges Reps. Hagedorn and Peterson to publicly back this bill, and we call on Congress to get the AHCIA passed as quickly as possible.”

MHP releases Local Housing Trust Fund Manual for Minnesota!

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Created: Tuesday, 30 July 2019 15:30

Written by Laura Proescholdt

St. Paul, MN (July 30, 2019) — Today, Minnesota Housing Partnership is announcing the release of its Local Housing Trust Fund Manual for Minnesota. Local Housing Trust Funds are established by a local government by dedicating local public revenue for housing. With 80 pages of references, case studies and explainers, the Local Housing Trust Fund Manual for Minnesota provides an in-depth discussion of key decisions local communities will make to establish a Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) — from creating priorities to choosing revenue sources.

When it comes to housing, Goodhue County Commissioner Brad Anderson's view is, "Not doing anything is not an option." That’s why he and other local leaders established a housing trust fund in Goodhue County as a resource to creatively address evolving local needs. Minnesota Housing Partnership released this manual to help other Minnesota communities do the same.

“Local communities aren’t going to let Minnesota’s affordable housing shortage hold them back any longer,” said Anne Mavity, Executive Director. “They’re ready to innovate and take action. By creating a Local Housing Trust Fund, communities can implement programs that meet their unique needs and leverage the resources they need to thrive.”

Read more: MHP releases Local Housing Trust Fund Manual for Minnesota!

Spokane IHA to preserve 16 affordable homes with $500,000 HUD award

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Created: Friday, 12 July 2019 13:04

Written by Laura Proescholdt

The Spokane Indian Housing Authority (SIHA) in June received $500,000 in Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) funding from HUD. It is crucial funding that will allow SIHA to rehabilitate, weatherize, and extend the useful life of 16 affordable homes.

Built in the 1970s, the homes are part of the 46-unit Martha Boardman subdivision on the Spokane Indian Reservation. It’s the oldest housing stock in SIHA’s portfolio, primarily home to families with children. “With these funds, we should be able to do work that is critically important for the wellbeing of people who live in these homes — now and in the future,” explains Tim Horan, Executive Director of SIHA.

Right: Previous SIHA projects include construction of a community center and a solar panel installation.

While SIHA has completed some renovations to the subdivision over time, Horan says the ICDBG award will allow them to do more comprehensive updates. Like all other construction and rehabilitation work SIHA undertakes, the Housing Authorities own construction company, which is almost exclusively Spokane tribal members, will complete the updates.

Read more: Spokane IHA to preserve 16 affordable homes with $500,000 HUD award

Request for Proposals: Consultant to Strengthen Homes for All Coalition

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Created: Thursday, 11 July 2019 16:14

Written by Laura Proescholdt

Homes for All, a statewide coalition that advances shared policy initiatives that lead to housing stability for all Minnesotans, is seeking a consultant(s) to assist in coalition building and governance for the coalition to achieve maximum impact. H4A is building on its success, and desires to grow its influence and power to leverage more state legislative investments and policy improvements in affordable housing and ending homelessness. H4A desires to strengthen its current coalition structure and governance, as well as increase participation of new housing stakeholders, and provide an “on-ramp” for all new stakeholders to participate, in order to position it for future growth and increased power, influence and success.

Housing and homelessness have risen to the front pages of news and media and to the top of policy agendas for elected officials at local, state and national levels, including becoming a top issue of the 2020 Presidential campaign. The unprecedented attention on this issue provides both an opportunity and a responsibility to focus energy on building and strengthening our coalition to channel this attention in strategic ways and leverage legislative success for long-term impact.

Download the request for proposals and submission instructions. Proposals will be accepted through Friday, July 19th at 10am.

Read more: Request for Proposals: Consultant to Strengthen Homes for All Coalition