Minnesota Votes for Housing 2020
Candidate responses in italics.
Name: Frank Hornstein
City/Town: Minneapolis
Legislative District: 61A
Party: DFL
1: A national poll in May 2020 found that 78% of the public believes our elected leaders are not putting enough attention on people’s need for help to pay for their housing during the coronavirus outbreak. What do you believe is the role of government in ensuring everyone has access to housing?
Housing is a basic human right. Government at all levels—city, county, state, and federal—have the responsibility to ensure safe, decent, accessible, and affordable housing for all. At the state level, this means ensuring 500 million dollars of bonding; expansion of the housing trust fund; and proper regulation of housing matters.
Homelessness must be addressed first and foremost by preserving and expanding the supply of housing for Minnesotans making 30% or less of the metro-median income. In addition, the state must expand emergency shelter space and emergency services for those experiencing homelessness. The state must also invest in transitional housing such as the Steve O’Neil Apartments in Duluth. This very successful model provides clean and safe housing along with wrap-around services including childcare and assistance with employment, food, and educational opportunities. I strongly support Steve O’Neil Apartments across the state.
Minnesota has among the highest racial disparities in housing and homeownership in the nation. This systemic racism is linked to disparities in wages, educational outcomes, transportation, healthcare, environment, and criminal justice. Disparities in housing can be addressed by addressing access to credit, housing discrimination, residential segregation, and racial steering.
My professional background is in community organizing. Prior to my election to the Minnesota House of Representatives, I worked on housing issues as an organizer for various neighborhood groups and at Jewish Community Action. As such, I recognize that effective change only happens when those directly impacted by problems are included in policy development and the political process. As a legislator, I have and will continue to seek the advice of grassroots organizations and housing advocates, and meet with those impacted by the housing crisis. I will ensure that these groups have a place at the table in developing community-based solutions to housing challenges.