Minnesota Housing Partnership Candidate Questionnaire (supported by Homes for All)
Candidate responses in italics.
Name: Jim Grabowska
City/Town: St. Clair
Legislative District: 23B
Party: DFL
District Issues: How would you characterize the housing needs in your district, for both renters and for homeowners?
The need in 23B is critical.
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 would support community infrastructure projects that would provide good paying jobs and affordable housing. In addition, I would also support public/private cooperation to provide for more housing.
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 will work to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
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?
In addition to the efforts I highlight in #3 above, I would support initiatives to increase services available to, not only the homeless, but all Minnesotans: healthcare, childcare, employment opportunities and education.
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 to increase rental assistance for seniors and families with children. In addition, see #5 above.
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?
In addition to #3 and #5 above, I would work to address housing inequities (substandard housing conditions and residential segregation.
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?
See #6 above.
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?
Yes, I would support dedicated funding for affordable housing and would work to continue the plan outlined by Governor Dayton in his Opportunity Agenda.
