Housing Advocacy: We're making progress

We are making progress at the State Capitol!
Habitat Ambassadors and our housing partners are working hard to make sure resources for affordable housing are in the final bonding bill. In the past month, Twin Cities Habitat and its housing partners have met with as many legislators as possible to discuss bonding for affordable housing.

Emphasis was placed on members of the Capital Investment and Jobs & Economic Development Finance committees. Bonding bills are referred to and heard in these committees. There are many bonding proposals floating around at the capitol - from renovations for new science labs at universities to street and utility improvements. If you have forgotten what bonds are and how they work, check out our past blog for a refresher course.

With that said, we are pleased to report that a stand-alone housing bonding bill for $40 million for affordable housing was introduced in the State Legislature this week. Right now, housing resources are included in the governor’s bonding proposal. The bill, SF2073 (Pederson)/HF2485(Howes), increases the likelihood that housing will be included in the Legislature’s bonding bill. Having affordable housing resources in both the Governor and State Legislature’s bonding proposal gives us a better chance to have our request in the final package.

A stand-alone bill will also allow advocates to rally for a housing-specific bonding ask. We have a hearing scheduled for the bill on March 8 in the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee. March 8 is also Minnesota Coalition For the Homeless Day on the Hill, so we are looking forward to having several advocates present and some great testimony as well!