Housing Priorities Voiced at Minnesota Legislature Rally

 

A collaborative January 21 Start with Home Rally in the Capitol Rotunda was led by housing advocacy organizations that included Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD), MHP, and the Our Future Starts at Home Coalition.

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan were among those who talked with the advocates. Flanagan pointed out, “I grew up in housing made possible by a Section 8 voucher. Having a place to sleep, study, and dream matters. A home is where we feel safe and build our futures. Everyone deserves that dignity. Your voices — your stories — are the tools we use to shape policy that keeps Minnesotans from being left behind.”

Other speakers shared personal experiences as well:

• Down payment assistance “gave me buying power, stability, and security. It’s helped me rebuild generational wealth and gave my family a sense of home and family. We need to make homeownership assistance available for everyone.” — Bridgette Blount, a Habitat for Humanity homeowner

“Supportive housing ended my family’s homelessness. Now my kids are thriving — playing sports, building friendships, and going to school. More supportive housing would give other families that chance.” —Amanda Woods, Beacon supportive housing resident

 

Advocates who spoke talked of the need for a deep investment in Minnesota housing:

• 

  Nelima Sitati Munene

  “We have unfinished business. We need long-term plans and real movement toward solving Minnesota’s housing challenges. It’s time to secure dedicated revenue so that every child has a home. That’s the mission we must fulfill together.” — Nelima Sitati Munene, executive director of ACER and co-chair of the Our Future Starts with Home Coalition

• “Advocates and practitioners gathered today for the rally, and as we all walked into the Capitol to elevate the importance of continued housing investment, the -15 windchill made it clear why this is so critical. Every Minnesota community faces challenges in housing its residents. Habitat focuses on the Workforce & Affordable Homeownership program, the only state budget program dedicated to creating affordable homeownership opportunities statewide. As buying a starter home is out of reach for Minnesotans, we hope lawmakers invest in this program to help families build wealth and stability.” — Cristen Incitti, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota.

The Start with Home Coalition has three key goals for 2025 legislators:

1. Save and Create More Homes by investing in solutions such as Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs), workforce and affordable homeownership programs, Greater Minnesota housing infrastructure, and zoning reform.
2. Expand Access and Opportunity to Homes through rental assistance, tenants’ rights like source of income protection, first-generation down payment assistance, and supportive housing.
3. Secure Predictable Housing Investments by putting the Minnesota Constitutional Amendment for Housing on the ballot and committing to long-term solutions.

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