MHP Connect

MN Housing Board Update: Changes to 2020 Qualified Allocation Plan

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Created: Monday, 05 February 2018 09:36

Written by Carolyn Szczepanski

At its January meeting, the board of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (Minnesota Housing) discussed the allocation of 2018 funds for the Minnesota City Participation Program, potential changes to the 2020 Tax Credit Program Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), highlights from the recently released Key Trends in Housing, work plan priorities for the coming year and the progress of the Governor's Task Force on Housing.

Opening remarks

In her opening remarks, Commissioner Mary Tingerthal shared that the Governor had released his public works proposal, which includes $100 million for Housing Infrastructure Bonds and $15 million for General Obligation Bonds. The most ever requested for housing by the Governor, Tingerthal said it was a good place to start and that Minnesota Housing will be carrying that strong recommendation into the session. (The Homes for All coalition is asking for $140 million in HIB and GO bonds this session; read the full agenda here.)

Tingerthal also noted one policy item in the Governor’s package: a change to the Manufactured Home Trust Fund, which levies an assessment on owners of manufactured home parks of $15 per lot per year that goes into a trust fund that is then available for relocation costs for low-income households that have to move when parks are closed. Previously, that fund was capped at $1 million, but, with two parks’ closing nearly wiping out the whole fund, the proposal is to increase the cap to $3 million.

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Sicangu Lakota secure $69,000 grant to further community-driven development plan focused on sustainability and self-sufficiency

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Created: Sunday, 04 February 2018 16:01

Written by Laura Proescholdt

For generations, the Sicangu Lakota were persecuted and prohibited from practicing their religion and traditional ways. But the spirit of the South Dakota tribe was never broken. "We have a history of standing up and fighting for our rights," says Wizipan Little Elk "and we continue to fight for our freedom to live how we want.” 

That freedom and focus on traditional ways is the foundation of the new Keya Wakpala Waicageyapi Development. The Executive Director and CEO of Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO), Little Elk has played a key role in the process of creating a master plan to transform an 600-acre swath of land west of the City of Mission, South Dakota, in a way that centers community and environmental sustainability.

“One thing that separates us and helps define who we are is that we don’t approach the work that we do from a deficit base,” Little Elk explains. “I think that we come at it from an asset base instead. We’re not looking at everything that’s wrong and throwing our hands up in the air and asking for handouts. Rather, we have challenges that we’re actively addressing, and we want partners and allies to help us address those challenges.”

The Keya Wakpala plan addresses several pressing community challenges including a major shortage of affordable housing; lack of suitable energy, water, and transportation infrastructure; and high rates of poverty. According to Little Elk, the community isn’t focused on those hurdles. Instead, they see potential in partnerships, collaboration, and innovative planning.

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MHP welcomes Elizabeth Glidden as new Director of Strategic Initiatives and Policy

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Created: Monday, 05 February 2018 09:09

Written by Carolyn Szczepanski

Filling a new role of Director of Strategic Initiatives and Policy, MHP has hired Elizabeth Glidden to drive the organization's policy and programs toward outcomes that improve the quality, affordability and availability of housing in Minnesota and beyond.

Homes for All MN kicks off advocacy around 2018 legislative agenda

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Created: Wednesday, 31 January 2018 12:08

Written by Laura Proescholdt

The 2018 state legislative session — beginning February 20 — is fast approaching, and Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) and our Homes for All MN partners are gearing up to advocate for investments, programs, and policies that promote safe, stable, affordable homes for all Minnesotans. Read MHP's 2018 agenda, which includes an innovative tax credit program to promote affordable housing development and an incentive for local communities to create local housing trust funds. 

Next week, Homes for All MN will host three kickoff events across the state to energize advocates and jumpstart advocacy around the 2018 Homes for All legislative agenda. Minnesota Housing Partnership is proud to be part of Homes for All MN, a coalition of more than 170 endorsing organizations across the state representing nonprofits, service providers, affordable housing developers, faith groups, government agencies and more. Each year, Homes for All creates an agenda to mobilize advocates around key affordable housing goals at the State Capitol. Building upon the successes of previous legislative sessions — including securing $100 million in bonds for affordable housing in 2014 — Homes for All will advocate in 2018 for $140 million in bonds for housing and $10 million in appropriations. These investments will develop and preserve affordable housing, prepare workers for homeownership, enable local communities to address pressing housing needs, and more.

Read more: Homes for All MN kicks off advocacy around 2018 legislative agenda