Minnesota Chapter of Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH-MN)
The Minnesota Chapter of Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH-MN) is a federal advocacy campaign working to meet the housing needs of under resourced Minnesotans. OSAH-MN is committed to organizing locally and acting at the federal level to secure the resources necessary to ensure that everyone has a home.
- Ready to participate In federal housing advocacy activities? Join the campaign!
- Download OSAH-MN’s informational one-pager here.
- Learn about the Opportunity Starts at Home national campaign here.
Questions about OSAH-MN? Contact Elizabeth Glidden at elizabeth.glidden at mhponline.org
Grant Opportunities:
OSAH-MN is offering grants of $1,000 to support the ability of organizations to participate in and influence OSAH-MN monthly meetings and/or events. Grant awards shall be prioritized to support:
- Black, Indigenous and People of Color led organizations
- Organizations primarily serving/membership of Black, Indigenous and People of Color
- Organizations empowering communities/people most impacted by housing need and housing instability
- Organizations based in and serving Greater Minnesota and/or rural communities.
The application is open until grant funds are expended.
Resources for Federal Advocacy:
- Virtual Training (30 min) on “How to Be an Effective Advocate”:
Engaging with federal candidates; Housing Questions 2022
Engaging with candidates during election season is a great way to ensure they prioritize housing issues. Utilize these suggested questions to ensure a housing question is asked in every forum and town hall or in one-on-one engagement with candidates.
- Find your legislative district and 2022 candidates by looking up your sample ballot here.
- Housing Questions 2022 here
MN-OSAH Highlights
- Webinar: Federal updates and advocacy training (06/14/22), Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here.
- Participated in June 7 national day of action for federal housing advocacy
- Organized a virtual Capitol Hill day on March 24, coordinating meetings for 30 advocates with Senator Smith and staff from the offices of Congresswoman Craig, Congresswoman McCollum, and Congressman Stauber.
- Letter urging the Minnesota Congressional Delegation support robust housing investments in a reconciliation bill (02/01/22).
- Letter to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation in support of Housing in an Infrastructure Bill (10/14/22).
- Letter urging Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation to allocate the highest possible funding for housing purposes in the forthcoming economic recovery bills. (9/23/21)
- Letter to Minnesota Members of Congress to support the HoUSed Campaign. (5/23/21)
- Federal Housing Advocacy Webinar (3/26/21), Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here, Meeting Chat (PDF): here.
- Webinar: on effectively engaging your congressional delegation on housing issues (10/20/20). Presentation slides (PDF): here, Recording: here
- Letter urging the Minnesota Congressional Delegation support emergency housing assistance, a national uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, unsheltered homelessness. (7/15/20)
- Letter to Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation with the National Campaign’s COVID-10 Round 4 Recommendations. (4/8/20)
