Senate Republican budget target: $0
- Despite hearing testimony from communities across the state and stakeholders, Senate Republicans did not invest an additional dollar into housing across Minnesota in their budget. Despite introducing bills that spent millions of dollars in new funding.
- Senate Republican policies are focused on taking away local control.
- Their budget will severely limit economic growth and housing opportunities across the state.
- Thousands of Minnesotans are challenged to find affordable housing. This is hurting families in profound ways and is limiting economic growth, especially in rural areas of the state.
Governor’s housing priorities
Governor Walz invested $14 million in his budget to expand housing programs that will meet the needs of the homeless, expand workforce housing across the state, and ensure more students are able to have a roof over their head as they prepare for the next school day. His budget also includes $100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds. This funding is used to preserve and build new housing opportunities across the state.
The value of a home is even more evident as families across the state faced economic uncertainty while trying to maintain their homes while the country faced a pandemic. It was through his actions, that many Minnesotans were able to stay in their homes despite economic challenges.
Eviction off ramp and housing assistance
Legislators and Governor Walz are looking forward at how we unwind the eviction mortarium to help landlords pay their bills and ensure tenants who need assistance can get it while maintaining their apartments. Additionally, we need to be conscience to do it in a manner that ensures that the courts will not be overwhelmed by eviction proceedings. While this issue is not resolved at this time, conversations will continue after the legislative break.
Limiting local control
Several bills heard in the Housing Committee to this point would severely limit local control. This includes prohibiting local units of government from requiring developers to use vegetation or other aesthetic requirements as part of a development. Additionally, they would cap the fees cities could charge to developers for inspecting their projects. They have even prohibited citizens from petitioning their local units of government to allow for rent controls. While it’s unclear how these proposals will remove forward, it is like Senate Republicans will include it in their omnibus housing proposal. However, many of these policies have not receive much traction in the Minnesota House.
Federal housing assistance
While money has been made available because of the recent federal bill that passed. It is still unclear when those dollars will be deployed to those would qualify for housing assistance. However, it is hoped those dollars will be deployed soon to help renters, homeowners, and landlords pay their bills and maintain the residences.
