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Long Term Affordability for LIHTC Properties in Minnesota

(August 2021)

Released in partnership with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), this report compiled and analyzed the nature and effects of the end of affordability restrictions of 4% and 9% low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) in Minnesota. Policy options for continued affordability in properties that had used low-income tax credits were examined to determine their viability in the state of Minnesota. The report covered both Year 15 LIHTC exits and the traditional Year 30 completion of program obligations and identified properties nearing these critical time points where affordability could be lost. These identified properties can be targeted for use of policy alternatives or to identify communities that will soon be experiencing the loss of affordable housing units.

Thank you to Emily Anderson, MHP Intern and Humphrey School of Public Affairs student in Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in Public Policy. We are grateful to Emily for the amazing work she did to create this report and conduct other meaningful research in the field.

Local Housing Trust Funds in Minnesota: 2020 Update

(March 2021)

This report highlights Minnesota cities and counties that have adopted local housing trust funds (LHTFs). Since the adoption of a 2017 state law defining housing trust funds, communities across Minnesota have began adopting LHTFs at an escalating rate. This report provides featured stories from several of these communities across Minnesota.

515 Properties in Minnesota: Preserving affordable rental housing in rural communities

(January 2021)

This report describes important affordable rural rental properties across Minnesota and the people who live there. These are rental units that have been financed under the USDA’s Section 515 program. As federal investments in the 515 program have been insufficient and declining for many years, many 515 properties are in declining condition. Part of the effort to save these properties is to quantify and describe these properties and who lives in them. MHP, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, analyzed the most recently available data. A more full summary of the report is found here.

MHP Factsheet: Local Government Recommendations for COVID-19 and Housing Stability

(May 2020)

MHP's Factsheet provides recommendations and references for local government use of CARES Act funds for housing stability, including CDBG, Emergency Services Grants (ESG), and Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF). Additional tools for local government housing support, including Local Housing Trust Funds (LHTF) are also provided. This factsheet includes examples of emergency housing assistance programs adopted by by peer communities to address gaps in federal and state aid for housing needs.

Rural Rental Housing: Report and Recommendations

(April 2020)

This report identifies challenges to preservation of rural rental housing and solutions developed by community members that live and work in Greater Minnesota. The report highlights needs and solutions for USDA Rural Development 515 properties. A cover letter, here, connects report recommendations to COVID-19 housing stability needs.

Keeping Communities Strong by Preserving Public Housing

(May 2018)

This report highlights the populations served by public housing, and the impact of the Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) in preserving in-demand community assets across the state.

Community First: Ensuring housing development meets the demands of the market and existing residents

(November 2017)

This resource explains important market factors HUD grantees and subgrantees should consider when analyzing and understanding the characteristics and needs of their potential buyer markets and how to attract homebuyers. Instead of focusing solely on the supply of affordable housing, successful development or redevelopment needs to include strategies that align with demand.

Key Housing Issues Facing Immigrant Communities in the Twin Cities

(November 2017)

This report details key findings from interviews conducted by the Minnesota Budget Project, Minnesota Housing Partnership, and the University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs with more than a dozen leaders from the Hmong, Latino and Somali communities, the three largest immigrant communities in the Twin Cities. The report explores not only what barriers to housing exist, but also what resources and community engagement strategies are needed to create effective solutions.

A New Approach to Fair Housing Community Engagement
(July 2017)
This report outlines how the engagement process employed for a 2017 addendum to the Twin Cities region 2014 fair housing Analysis of Impediments could serve as a model for other jurisdictions as they plan their community participation required under the new federal fair housing rule.

The Fair Housing and Equity Assessment in Rural and Smaller Metropolitan Regions: Reflections on Implementation of the FHEA from the Field
(November 2015)

This report provides an overview of the HUD's Fair Housing and Equity Assessment (FHEA) as carried out by rural and smaller metropolitan regions. It is based on a review of FHEA documents and interviews with the grantees responsible for the preparation of the FHEA. The intent of the report is to inform federal agencies and equity advocates how rural and smaller metropolitan areas can plan for equitable opportunity.

Also see MHP Publications Archive