Minnesota's Legislative Session Nears Final Month |
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On April 24, we will be just 1 month away from the adjournment of the 2023 legislative session, and there's been a flurry of activity in light of that. In the House, the housing omnibus funding and policy bill has been heard in the Housing, Taxes, and Ways and Means Committees. The full House of Representatives will vote on the bill Wednesday evening. In the Senate, the housing omnibus funding and policy bill has passed the Housing and Finance committees. The full Senate will take up the bill Monday. The House will also vote on the tenant omnibus policy bill Wednesday.
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Earlier this week, the House Taxes Committee released its tax bill. MHP testified in support of several provisions, including Local Affordable Housing Aid, Tribal Nation Aid, more funding for the Local Homelessness Prevention Aid Program, funding for the Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Program, and the inclusion of land trust properties in the 4d tax class. The single .25 4d property tax rate that MHP and the 4d Coalition have advocated for years was omitted from the bill. In MHP's testimony, we urged the committee to include the single, reduced rate. No changes to 4d were made when the committee marked up the bill. The bill also includes a tax credit for manufactured home park owners who sell to park residents, modifications and expansions to the Renter's and Homestead Credits, and elimination of income requirements on housing TIF districts in Greater MN. It does not include the State Historic Structure Tax Credit. MHP anticipates the Senate releasing its bill this week.
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Office of the Legislative Auditor Publishes Report on RentHelpMN |
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On April 13th, the Office of the Legislative Auditor published a report in which they evaluated the administration of Minnesota Housing's RentHelpMN emergency rental assistance program. The report looks at metrics such as the extent to which Minnesota Housing accurately applied RentHelpMN eligibility criteria, made accurate payments, and processed applications in a timely manner.
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Join the Campaign for a Constitutional Amendment for Housing! |
No matter where we are from or where we live, we all deserve a place to call home. Our Future Starts at Home advocates for ongoing, dedicated, stable funding to make that a reality.
QUESTIONS? bit.ly/CA4Housing_FAQ |
Join the organizations who have endorsed the coalition: |
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Aeon
Affordable Housing Connections
African Career Education & Resources, Inc
Ain Dah Yung Center
All Parks Alliance for Change
American Indian Community Housing The Arc Minnesota Organization Arc Northland
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative CAPIUSA
Center City Housing Corp.
Center for Economic Inclusion
CHUM
Community Stabilization Project
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
Duluth Affordable Housing Coalition
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota HOME Line |
| Homes For All, MN (240+ organizations)
Housing Justice Center
Jewish Community Action
Just Housing SBC
Landon Group
Loaves and Fishes Community
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
New American Development Center
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
One Roof Community Housing
Project for Pride in Living, Inc.
Small Sums
Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Waite Park Somali Association |
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Please Join Us for a MHP Investors Council Event on April 25th:
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“This excellent book…. describes how and why this gap grows and how it affects homelessness, and the possible solutions offered here give us a solid direction for the future." —Nan Roman, President and CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness |
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The research-backed solution is not always the one the public agrees with. That’s why Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern teamed up to write a peer-reviewed but plainly written guide in hopes that more people will embrace solutions that work to fix the problem.
Join MHP's Investors Council event featuring special guest author and researcher Gregg Colburn and moderated by MHP Deputy Director Elizabeth Glidden. Tuesday, April 25th, 8:30 - 10:00 am
Sunrise Banks | 2525 Wabash Ave, St. Paul 55114
Light pastries and coffee served |
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The Future of Rural Rental Housing: Research & Remedies on May 3 |
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Join us on May 3, at 9 am, for an overview of the recent report The USDA Section 515 Program and The Challenge of Preserving Affordable Housing in Greater Minnesota and conversation about what the future holds for rental housing throughout Greater Minnesota. |
In this zoom event we will review the challenges of preserving housing enrolled in USDA's Section 515 Program - which is often the only affordable housing available to rural residents and share recommendations for state and federal policy makers. This new report is a collaboration between the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, MHP, and the Housing Justice Center. |
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April Marks the 55th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act |
Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, the Fair Housing Act made housing discrimination unlawful and required state and local jurisdictions to take action to “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH). This landmark law sought to guarantee that all people in America have the right to obtain the housing of their choice, free from discrimination. Despite this being one of the most groundbreaking pieces of housing legislation in the history of the United States, we know that many neighborhoods across the country remain as segregated today as they were 55 years ago. Disparities in homeownership rates by race and ethnicity persist. In the spirt of the Fair Housing Act, MHP's work seeks to expand housing and community development opportunity for those most impacted by economic and racial disparities.
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Congress Returns from Recess to Continue Work on FY24 Budget |
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On April 17, members of Congress returned to their offices in Washington DC and continued discussions regarding the federal budget for fiscal year 2024. Of concerning note, House Republican leadership has indicated that they will not approve an increase to the debt limit unless there are significant cuts to non-defense spending in the FY24 appropriations bill. |
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Advocates Eye Farm Bill to Avert Drop in Affordable Rural Housing |
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A new article from Roll Call describes how housing advocates are targeting the farm bill as a way to preserve housing in rural communities. Advocates are pushing for the decoupling of rental assistance payments from properties enrolled in the Section 515 program. This would allow the US Department of Argriculture (USDA) to provide rental assistance even after a building owner has paid off the subsidized mortgage. As the article outlines, "Without action from Congress, rural communities stand to lose more than 100,000 affordable rental units in the next decade as federally subsidized loans used to build the apartments are paid off, ending landlords’ obligations to keep rents low."
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Comments on HUD’s AFFH Deadline Extended to April 24
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MHP is excited to host a regional workshop: Advancing Housing and Community Development in the Northwest Region of Minnesota on June 8, 2023. It will bring together leaders focused on housing solutions for the region and emphasize specific development opportunities in the region. Topics will include: -
Legislative update on housing resources and funding
- Local municipality housing development goals within the region
- Project funding and financing efforts
- Ways the Minnesota AIA can support planning efforts, including through the Search for Shelter Design Charette and the Minnesota Design Team
- Perspectives from regional leaders around vision and next steps for the Northwest region to support housing development needs
Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn more about project concepts from the Northwest region’s cohort of emerging developers. |
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Children's HealthWatch Issues Report on Evictions and Household Health |
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