MHP and Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota have invited candidates for the Minnesota House of Representatives and the State Senate to complete a 2022 Candidate Questionnaire on Housing Issues.

Join us on Wednesday, September 14 for a Twitterstorm and call-in day to urge candidates to respond to the questionnaire, as housing is a top issue for many, with the costs and levels of instability at a crisis point.

Email, tweet, and call candidates for office on September 14 to urge them to share their views on housing by responding to the questionnaire. 

• Utilize our Advocacy and Social Media Toolkit for candidate information and more.
• Find your legislative district and 2022 candidates via your sample ballot here.  
• View maps of the new legislative districts here. 
• Find your candidate’s contact information here and a sample script for asking candidates to complete the questionnaire here. 

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota are hosting a Governor’s Candidate Forum. Candidates will share their plans to build infrastructure to address the root causes of homelessness, housing instability, and the lack of affordable homeownership opportunities, and their specific platform goals to address these affordable housing challenges in our state. The forum will be live streamed as well as a part of MCH's Conference in Duluth. Capacity is limited–register here to attend.

Source for fact cited: HousingLink

MHP recently released a 2022 "Key Facts on Housing" report to enlighten legislators and the public on critical housing issues. This four-page document adds facts and figures to the story to create a basic understanding of why we are where we are with housing. For example, there is a severe mismatch between market supply and demand. Despite the need for 2,500 new homes annually for lowest income households, in 2021 only 150 homes were built for four-person households making less than $31,000. The report also shows how the solutions to these issues are within our grasp.

MHP is excited to host the first workshop in our Emerging Developers Initiative (EDI) for Northwest Minnesota and the region's Tribal Nations. The EDI was created to support the emergence and professional development of new housing developers

from rural communities and Native Nations in Northwest Minnesota. The EDI centers the participation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color developers. EDI workshops will provide education, mentorship, peer to peer learning opportunities, and ongoing support for success.

Regional Housing Challenges, Perspectives, & Solutions

Sessions and Workshops Featuring:

Morning Policy Plenary at Bemidji Carnegie Library

Participate in an interactive GIS overview of housing development, followed by a multi-sector panel discussion exploring regional perspectives and approaches to housing.

Afternoon Roundtable Technical Assistance Practicum Topics:

• Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and small homes;
• Pro forma development and access to government and philanthropic resources;
• Small business development and marketing.
• Bring your vision to life by meeting one-to-one with an architect who will sketch your initial site plan and rendering on the spot!

For more information contact Donald Googleye, Community Development Manager at donald.goggleye@mhponline.org. Pictured: apartment construction in Roseau, MN.

MHP provides technical assistance to communities throughout the US. (See below for how to apply for assistance). Last month, MHP worked with the White Earth Housing Authority (WEHA) in facilitating a strategic planning session.

Attending were stakeholders such as the White Earth Housing Board of Commissioners, Tribal Council Administrative Staff, Health and Human Services departments, and all 5 Tribal Council members. The strategic plan will serve as a road map for the WEHA as it provides services that improve the overall quality of life for its members/tenants.

Pictured: Strategic planning session with the White Earth Housing Authority

Is your community facing a lack of affordable housing? Is a demographic group in your hometown underserved? Do you work for an organization that could benefit from enhanced local knowledge, training, and/or strategic partnerships? If so, MHP is available to assist in addressing the issues your community faces. (See above for an example of this technical assistance with the White Earth Housing Authority).

MHP is opening its Request for Technical Assistance Application (RFTA) through its Strengthening Rural Communities Program, which delivers technical and financial assistance to rural entities and Native nations throughout the country - at no cost. Contact our staff with questions or concerns! RFTA@MHPonline.org or 651-925-5536

MHP joins housing advocates across the nation in concern that the Inflation Reduction Act missed a significant opportunity to address our housing crisis. Despite this disappointment, the IRA’s focus on energy efficiency has provided some important opportunities for affordable homes. The National Housing Trust (NHT) has prepared a summary of opportunities for affordable housing, including efficiency upgrades and climate resilience. According to NHT, up to $25 billion of the IRA is directly targeted or can be leveraged to support affordable housing. A copy of NHT’s summary of affordable housing opportunities in the IRA is here. 

During August, the Minnesota Chapter of Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH-MN) organized meetings with staff from the offices of Senator Tina Smith, Congressman Emmer, Congresswoman McCollum, and Congressman Stauber, to discuss housing needs and how they can be met through federal policy and funding. In Duluth, housing advocates met with

Duluth OSAH meeting

Eric Gebhart, Legislative Aid to Congressman Stauber, who reiterated Congressman’s support for a bill to increase and improve LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credits). Participants included OSAH- MN representatives , the City of Duluth, the Damiano Center, American Indian Community Housing (AICHO), Harm Reduction Sisters, Lincoln Park Resource Center, and Community Leader and Activist Portia Johnson. 

The MHP Investors Council is a professional network of businesses and organizations involved in the affordable housing industry. Contributing to the Investors Council supports MHP’s ability to continue our crucial policy, research, and community development work to expand housing opportunity!

Thank you to all who support our mission!  View supporting companies and organizations.

Pictured: Mary Tingerthal, Tingerthal Group; Anne Mavity, MHP; Sue Speakman-Gomez, HousingLink

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