MHP Connect

While hunger might sound like a problem limited to developing countries far away from Minnesota, the reality is that many people right here at home cannot get the basic nutrition they need. Recent increases in hunger have been tied to increased housing costs.

This month's board meeting featured adoption of the state's Consolidated Plan, an update on bonding for housing at the state legislature, proposed new rules for awarding tax credits to housing projects, and a change for providing homeless services in the St. Cloud area.

Nestled in the southwestern corner of Minnesota, Lincoln County is home to just under 6,000 residents. In this rural part of the state, it has often been difficult for households to find basic information about where to rent, how to get help repairing or weatherizing homes, or housing options for seniors. Through participation as a team in MHP's Housing Institute program, Lincoln County has seen a lot of change. County participants have collaborated in innovative new ways to help people find much-needed housing information - and more - in Lincoln County.

If you are finding housing studies of those in need painful these days, you're not alone. Still, there's a lot of good research happening out there to help us understand the issues and make the case for affordable housing. This month's featured resources include US studies on rising segregation of neighborhoods and the impact of rent burden on kids, plus a report on how to meet the housing needs of the world's urban poor in the era of climate change. (Sit down before you read that one.) In some good news, Minnesota is cited as a model for two state policies to help adults age in place.