Thank you Advocates - 2011 successes

Dear Housing Advocates:

After Nearly three weeks of State Government shutdown the Governor and Legislature finally came to an agreement and approved budgets. Though the budget solution is not ideal it is what we both sides finally agreed upon.

While homeless programs fared well this session, I report on our legislative successes with a heavy heart – deep cuts to important programs mean more vulnerable people will likely be pushed towards homelessness. Habitat for Humanity and our housing partners were outspoken in our support to include bonding for housing, on this front we were unable to deliver this session but with renewed energy will continue to push in 2012.

On Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's legislative priorities, Here is how we fared:

Maintain appropriations for the housing continuum.

Earlier this session, the House and Senate had released somewhat different budgets for housing programs for 2012-13. Compared to the 2010-11 budget, the Senate had proposed an 8% cut, and the House a 12% cut. By contrast, the Governor proposed a more modest 6% cut to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency portion of jobs and economic development. Advocates had feared the possibility of the House-Senate conference committee deepening cuts for housing and homeless programs during this stage of the budget compromise, in light of proposals back in March to slash the entire jobs and economic development budgets by 40 and 50%. In the end, the the final budget cuts Minnesota Housing programs by about 6.7% compared to last biennium.

Housing advocates can celebrate that the final budget adopts the Governor's proposal for programs that serve the homeless and very vulnerable. This includes $19.1 million for the Housing Trust Fund, which helps Minnesota move towards ending long-term homelessness.

However, the bad news is that the Challenge Program, the state's most flexible program for much-needed rehab and housing production, takes an additional hit. The total cut for Challenge is $876,000, or 6%, compared to funding for 2010-11, but this is almost a full $5 million less than the amount recommended for Challenge last session by the Legislature.

Dedicate a revenue stream for the creation and preservation of affordable housing. We introduced a bill to capture the growth in the mortgage and deed tax over current levels and direct that to the MN Housing Challenge Fund program where the resources can be used to develop affordable housing. We can continue to work on moving the bill forward in 2012.

Secure bonding for resources for affordable housing. No Housing Bonds were included in the final budget negotiations but, 2012 is a Bonding year of the legislature and we will continue to work on bonds for housing.

Create financing mechanism to develop affordable housing. Bill was written and introduced but, tabled for this legislative session.

Support transit oriented development efforts. Our President Sue Haigh was appointed by Governor Dayton to chair the Metropolitan Council a clear message about the importance of linking affordable housing options and transit. Sue has worked tirelessly to spread the message of importance of transit to low-income families and worked to secure continued funding for the Met Council and transit. In addition Habitat testified at St. Paul city council to ensure inclusionary zoning as part of the plan around the central corridor.

Thanks to a great team! In addition to supporting specific legislation our advocacy program reached 2,000 online advocates, sent 556 messages to Legislators, had 225 meetings with legislators, Held mini-lobby days and our 2nd Annual Habitat on the Hill-MN event and strengthend our relationship with coalition partners and legislators and local elected officials. This work has been possible only because so many people came together around a common purpose. There are too many people to name here, but to those who helped shape our legislative agenda, or wrote letters to the editor, or joined Habitat staff in meetings with administration officials or legislators, participated in Habitat- MN Day on the Hill, participated in mini-lobby days, invited legislators to programs, emailed legislators when called upon or on your own, attended rallies at the Capitol, contributed financially to our work, or participated in any number of other ways, we thank you.

This session, our work was necessarily about protecting funding; next session and beyond, we will work tirelessly and strategically to ensure affordable homeownership for all. We know that working together in a well-coordinated campaign, with active statewide participation, and in partnership with strategic allies; we can elevate Housing as a priority among elected officials.

Thank you for all you do!