Housing and services bills have been moving rapidly through the House and Senate, as both bodies position themselves for end-of-session negotiations. It may come as no surprise that the House, Senate, and Governor’s versions of the budget differ from each other when it comes to Minnesota…
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2016-2017 Minnesota Housing Budget Update
In the final days of the 2015 legislative session, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s budget faced uncertainty. Lawmakers released the Jobs/Energy bill, in which Minnesota Housing’s budget is included, with less than an hour before the Legislature’s adjournment deadline of midnight on May 18. The House took up this “lights on”…
2015 Session Wrap Part I: Homes for All
At the Capitol this year, MHP worked with Homes for All to increase funds for housing across the spectrum of need. MHP and Homes for All asked legislators to budget an additional $39 million for housing development and supportive housing services to meet housing needs of…
2015 Session Wrap Part II: Workforce Housing
For several years, MHP has heard from community partners that the lack of available and affordable housing for workers in Greater Minnesota is an ongoing frustration which leaves renters competing for housing and constrains job growth. MHP believes that the Legislature has a role to play in addressing the near inability…
Sequestration Compliance Forces Drastic Cuts in Proposed 2016 HUD Budgets
This summer, the U.S. House and the Senate Appropriations Committee has each passed a Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill that severely under-funds needed housing programs. Both bodies were forced to make drastic cuts in order to to adhere to the 2011 Budget Control…
Southeastern MN: housing challenges for changing communities
Local stakeholders from southeastern Minnesota identified workforce housing and increased commitment to culturally-specific support at a regional housing dialogue in Faribault last month. The dialogue was held by Minnesota Housing, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF), and USDA Rural Development. Housing and community leaders were briefed on housing trends in the region,…
‘Local control for a local issue’ – Affordable Housing Trust Funds in rural communities
Guest blog by: Randal Hemmerlin, Executive Director at Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority It is no longer much of a secret that a housing shortage exists throughout Minnesota. The State’s population continues to grow as business is growing its workforce. So much so, that places like…
MN Housing Board funds manufactured home co-ops, reports on Affordable Housing Plan
In her opening remarks at the Agency’s November Board meeting, Commissioner Tingerthal announced that Tom O’Hern had been hired as the agency’s general counsel. O’Hern had been supporting the Agency’s board from his position on the Attorney General’s staff. Tingerthal added that, going forward, the Agency will end this direct…
Creating a platform for success – Twin Cities stakeholders talk affordable housing at recent forum
United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro engaged housing advocates in a lively discussion about the future of affordable housing in the Twin Cities at a forum on October 30. Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-5) hosted the event, which was held at Mayflower Church in Minneapolis. The forum generated…
MN Housing underscores increased commitment to Greater MN and metro suburbs in 2015 awards
Last month, Minnesota Housing awarded $92 million for affordable housing development projects across the state. These investments will finance new construction and rehabilitation of single family and multifamily housing projects, increasing affordable housing options for Minnesota families. $92 million of investment in affordable housing will have a significant impact for…