Minnesota Housing Partnership Candidate Questionnaire (supported by Homes for All)
Candidate responses in italics.
Name: Tyrel Clark
City/Town: Eyota
Legislative District: 26B
Party: DFL
District Issues: How would you characterize the housing needs in your district, for both renters and for homeowners?
The housing in my district is not keeping up with demand especially in the workforce housing area. This is for both renters and homeowners.
Availability of Affordable Housing: More than 25% of households in Minnesota pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing, meaning they must sacrifice in other areas like food and medicine to make ends meet. What steps will you take to encourage the production of more affordable homes?
I will work with experts and local government officials to identify how best to encourage the production of affordable homes. This include examining state regulations and identifying gaps that the state can close.
Workers: A full-time minimum wage worker cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment in any county in Minnesota — and many of the fastest growing jobs are in low-wage industries. What investments or policy would you champion to address the growing gap between what workers can afford and housing costs?
I would fight pre-emanation laws that would stop local municipalities from setting minimum wages for workers. I would work hard to educate people on the impacts of low-wages on a societal basis. Work with experts and stakeholders to close this gap between what workers can afford and housing costs.
Homelessness: A lack of affordable housing options is one of the top reasons for homelessness, for individuals or families. What will you do to end homelessness in Minnesota?
Along with doing the previously mentioned items. I will work with local municipalities to partner on solutions for homelessness that best fits that area. I strongly believe we can end homelessness if with have an legislature and local municipalities working together.
Seniors and children: More than half of senior renters and more than 1 in 4 senior homeowners pay more than they can afford for housing. Meanwhile, children without stable, affordable housing have lower educational and health outcomes. What will you do to ensure housing policy and resources support Minnesota's seniors and students?
I will work with experts and stakeholders to make sure with have the policies and resources needed to support the housing needs of Minnesota's seniors and students.
Racial Disparities: Minnesota's racial disparities in housing are among the worst in the nation, for renters and homeowners. For instance, 22 percent of Black households are homeowners, compared to 76 percent of white households. How will you reduce the racial homeownership gap and other disparities in housing for households of color?
Look at the studies available and work with experts to find the huddles causing this disparity. Than work with legislators, stakeholders, and staff to put together bills and policies that will move us towards addressing these problems.
Rental Stability: Rental assistance is proven to reduce homelessness, housing instability, and overcrowding, but 75% of residents who qualify for rental assistance do not receive this limited resource. What will you do to expand access to housing assistance to every household that needs it?
Work with other legislators to find dedicated funding for to address homelessness and housing instability.
Funding: We cannot meet our growing, statewide housing needs without significant additional resources. Will you support a dedicated source of funding for affordable housing? Why or why not?
I think it is important to find dedicated funding souces to address the housing needs of our state. Finding dedicated sources is vital to long term solutions that will keep working for the citizens of our state into the future.
