MHP’s 2025 Outstanding Advocate Awards
MHP is proud to present its 2025 Outstanding Advocate Awards. MHP recognizes outstanding volunteers and organizational partners who have made significant contributions to promote affordable housing solutions at the local, state, and federal levels.
2025 Awardees:
MHP is proud to recognize Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative as an organizational recipient of our 2025 Outstanding Advocate award. Beacon has provided leadership for key housing campaigns, engaged hundreds of residents in advocacy activities to influence local, state, and federal lawmaker decisions, and helped to bring media and public attention to key housing issues. From leading the Start with Home rally at the State Capital, to serving as co-chair of the Our Future Starts at Home campaign, to championing the narrative of homes we can afford, Beacon has exemplified what it means to organize for housing justice.
MHP is proud to recognize Leech Lake Financial Services as an organizational recipient of MHP’s 2025 Outstanding Advocate Award. LLFS has built political will for homes, modeling the initiative, collaborative spirit, and “never quit” attitude needed to build a total of 15 new homes to serve community need through its Wealth Creation Project . Through collaboration with many funders and local partners, LLFS is creating homeownership opportunities for Native families and local community members. Their efforts promote empowerment and equity in homeownership and local asset building that will impact generations to come. LLFS is truly creating a model that demonstrates the incredible impact that investment in Native and rural homeownership can have!
MHP is proud to recognize the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) as an organizational recipient of our 2025 Outstanding Advocate award. One of the premier organizations in the housing space with statewide reach, MCH has helped bring high profile attention to Minnesota’s housing needs from the Governor and legislative leaders year after year. Through its Advocacy Fellowship program and many other efforts, MCH has consistently ensured that those with lived experience are hands-on in developing policy, designing campaign strategy, and testifying at the Capital. Through its leadership on the Our Future Starts at Home campaign, and history of success in increasing funding for the Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP), MCH’s outstanding commitment to housing justice is clear. MCH is truly a mighty organization!
Deanna has influenced rural housing policy development with examples and experiences as a community-based developer. As a champion of preservation efforts for deeply affordable rural homes, such as USDA Section 515’s, Deanna has helped educate community members and local, state and federal elected officials on the importance of these homes for rural residents and rural communities. As a trusted and effective communicator about the importance of affordable homes, she has helped to build political will and public support throughout Central Minnesota.
Julia is a positive, collaborative, and knowledgeable housing advocate, helping to inspire and connect her colleagues in the affordable housing industry. As a regular member of the rural development workgroup, and a brilliant housing finance professional, Julia has identified policy issues and solutions important to rural communities. With her colleagues at MMCDC, Julia exemplifies excellence as a trusted partner of the state in administering the First Generation Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance program. Julia has brought rural perspectives to policy and advocacy efforts, ensuring Greater Minnesota expertise is reflected in policy conversations.
Paul’s efforts have helped build the public narrative for homes people can afford and enhanced excitement and support for housing solutions at the state level. Paul is the consummate networker, a skill he employs on behalf of affordable housing advocacy. From sharing his expertise with Housing Institute members, to participating in lobby days at the Capitol, to building support for the Our Future Starts at Home campaign, to championing affordable housing campaigns and organizations – Paul’s willingness to say “yes” is contagious and motivating. While he will claim he “has not done much,” Paul’s efforts reflect a critical ongoing commitment to housing justice and affordable housing solutions.
Ryan is a forceful advocate for fair housing and affordable homes. He has been a leader in advancing the Our Future Starts at Home Campaign, including providing strategy and organizing expertise, building political support, bringing in new organizational endorsers, and lending excitement and energy to this massive effort. Ryan has championed housing justice for all, including immigrant community members, by helping shape the public narrative, championing innovative policy wins like renter protections for use of individual taxpayer identification numbers, and supporting organizing efforts throughout the state.
