MHP's Continues Work Near Alaska's Prince William Sound

MHP's Community Development team and the Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD) have recently began the process of collaborating with McKinley Research Group—an Alaska-based research firm—to conduct a regional housing needs assessment for the Prince William Sound region. The district includes cities of Cordova, Valdez, and Whittier, and Native Villages of Eyak and Tatitlek. There is a severe shortage of housing in all of the communities of the region, given the specific challenges around topography and accessibility, cost of construction and materials, and lack of developers and contractors. MHP is providing financial support to help offset the cost of the initial Housing Needs Assessment. Once completed, MHP staff will assist regional partners in development of a housing action plan (HAP), with specific strategies to address housing development needs in each community. MHP will provide remote and in-person technical assistance for this planning by creating engagement tools and supporting outreach strategies such as community surveys, stakeholder interviews, and public town halls hosted during the summer of 2023. 

Members of the first EDI cohort pose for a photo at regional housing workshop in Bemidji, MN   

MHP's First Emerging Developer Initiative Cohort Concludes Work Together

Last week folks gathered for a regional housing and community development workshop in Bemidji, Minnesota. Attendees had the opportunity to; hear from local housing leaders and learn about specific development opportunities in the area.

This workshop also marked the conclusion of the first iteration of MHP's Emerging Developer Initiative (EDI), which was created to support the emergence and professional development of new housing developers from rural communities and Native Nations in Northwest Minnesota. This first cohort saw 7 individuals complete the program, 6 of whom were people of color.

MHP Investor Council's Social Hour

Last week, the MHP Investor Council came together for a social hour at Bridgewater Bank's corporate offices to celebrate the big wins for housing this legislative session.