Owning your own home has been “the American Dream.”  But the reality is it’s a dream within reach of ever fewer people.  Homelessness is real in rural Minnesota.  More young people are moving back in with their parents.  More families are only one paycheck from being evicted.  Safe affordable housing for senior citizens is a growing issue as our rural population ages.  There are limited subsidized housing programs to help, but are there long-term solutions to make stable housing a reality? 

The answer is yes, but it will take investment.  Part of the issue in the rural area is inventory (i.e. not enough units).  The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) plays a significant role in promoting affordable housing through various programs, including loans, grants and short-term rental assistance.  The agency is designed to create and maintain affordable housing.  But they have limited resources.  Once in office, I will work to increase the funding available to MHFA for rural investments. 

I will also work to develop more private/public relationships to ensure that there is adequate affordable funding for first-time homeowners. We must ensure that our older residents have safe and stable housing while increasing the inventory of single-family homes.

The affordable housing crisis in Minnesota is a pressing issue that requires immediate action.  By increasing funding for housing creation and preservation, supporting diverse housing choices, and implementing effective assistance programs, affordable housing will provide long-term benefits such as building generational wealth, permanent housing, and stable communities.