MHP’s latest “2 x 4” Report finds family homelessness little improved from height-of-recession 2009 highs, generous inventories of homes still for sale, and employment in housing construction at a 17-year low for the time of year. Meanwhile, Minnesota lawmakers consider deep cuts to state housing and economic development program.

On a brighter note, fewer home owners were delinquent on their mortgage payments.

Late last week, Minnesota House and Senate lawmakers announced plans to cut funding for housing and economic development programs by about 50%.

Chip Halbach, MHP’s Executive Director, questioned the wisdom of such cuts with so many workers unemployed.  “State investment in housing is a win-win. It leverages private sector dollars and puts people to work, not to mention ensuring that more Minnesotans can afford a safe place to live,” said Halbach.

MHP’s “2 x 4” housing indicators report graphically depicts 2 indicators for each of 4 key housing areas: the home ownership market, the rental market, homelessness, and the housing industry. Through quarterly updates, the report provides a concise and timely overview of housing challenges facing Minnesota.

For fourth quarter of 2010:

• Vacancies in the Twin Cities rental market again fell sharply to 3.8%, down from 7.3% a year earlier.
• Family homelessness in Hennepin County was nearly unchanged from height-of-recession 2009 rates for the time of year.
• Mortage delinquencies fell to 6.5%, compared to about 8% a year earlier.
• Inventories of homes for sale in the Twin Cities metro were high, despite historically low mortgage rates. About 34% of the homes on the market were foreclosures or short sales.
• Monthly employment in residential housing construction averaged a mere 8,900 workers, a number for the quarter not seen since1993 for the time of year.

Be sure to check out the full “2 x 4” Report including graphs, data sources, and analysis.