• National Partnership Spotlight: Expanding Aging-in-Place Repairs in North Carolina

    Coworkers in an office with one coworker holding phone in a selfie style

    For many older adults, staying in the home they already have is the key to stability, health, and independence. But small repair needs can become major barriers — especially in rural communities where repair services and resources are harder to access.

    MHP is working alongside Hope Renovations, a North Carolina nonprofit that helps older adults remain safely in their homes through critical repairs and accessibility improvements. Their aging-in-place work focuses on low-cost, high-impact repairs that make homes safer while preserving existing housing that remains affordable to the community.

    Through MHP’s support, Hope Renovations is strengthening its program capacity and expanding its reach into surrounding rural areas, allowing the organization to serve more homeowners and complete more repair projects. This work helps prevent displacement, protects existing housing, and ensures that older adults can continue living in the communities they call home.

    Hope Renovations also pairs repair projects with hands-on construction training that expands opportunities in the skilled trades for people who have been underrepresented in the field. This model both increases the organization’s repair capacity and helps build the workforce needed to support housing stability in the future.

    By combining housing preservation, workforce development, and expanded geographic reach, this partnership is helping more households stay safe in their homes while strengthening communities across the region.

    Jenny Jones

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  • Thank You For Filling Out Our Form!

    Please allow up to one month for a response. For questions or further information, please email [email protected].

    Click here to go back to MHP’s Community Development page.

    Jenny Jones

  • MHP Winter Social

    MHP Winter Social

    Thursday, December 4 | 3:30 PM

    Location: Canopy by Hilton (708 S 3rd Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55415)

    Join us from 3:30 – 5:30pm on December 4th! Come together with advocates, industry leaders, organizers, and housing champions from across the housing continuum at MHP’s Winter Social. This festive gathering is more than a celebration—it’s a moment to recognize our shared progress and gear up for the work ahead.

    Brian Muhs

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  • Community Development in Action: MHP Partnerships Across the Country

    Real stories of how communities across the country are advancing local housing solutions — with MHP by their side

    From rural towns to Native Nations to growing cities, communities are charting their own path toward more homes and stronger local capacity. These partnerships showcase how MHP supports local leaders with planning, expertise, and hands-on guidance to bring community-driven housing solutions to life.

    Interested in a partnership with MHP? View our services and fill out an interest form!

    Jenny Jones

  • Housing on the Ballot: Lessons from Colorado and Los Angeles

    Housing on the Ballot: Lessons from Colorado and Los Angeles

    Thursday, November 13 | 9:00 – 10:00 am

    Join Our Future Starts at Home for a special conversation about successful ballot campaigns for affordable homes in Colorado and Los Angeles. We welcome Zach Martinez of Colorado and Aditi Shakkawar of Los Angeles to share stories of campaign strategies for election day success and expectations and results for affordable homes post-election.  

    Zach Martinez (he/him) 

    Director of Policy and Advocacy at Gary Advocacy LLC and Gary Community Ventures

    Zach Martinez

    Zach brings deep expertise on the Colorado campaign for Prop 123. In November 2022, Colorado voters passed Proposition 123, a ballot measure authorizing the state to retain money from existing state tax revenue to support affordable housing investment. Learn more about Prop 123 and its implementation here.  

    Aditi Shakkarwar (she/her)

    Housing Advocacy Manager with United Way of Greater Los Angeles

    Aditi worked closely with the coalition that was successful in passing the LA County sales tax, Measure A. In the November 2024 election, voters approved Los Angeles County’s Measure A, a campaign to increase the countywide sales tax by a half-cent to fund homelessness services and affordable housing. This measure replaced the previous quarter-cent Measure H, raising the county sales tax to 9.75% in most areas and generating an estimated $1 billion annually.

    Aditi Shakkarwar

    Brian Muhs

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  • Housing Preservation Success: Blueprints and Stories

    Housing Preservation Success: Blueprints and Stories

    November 5 | 3:00 – 4:30 pm | California

    MHP’s very own Leah Hall will be presenting at HAC’s Build Rural Conference. The workshop, Housing Preservation Success: Blueprints and Stories, will cover strategies for rural affordable rental housing preservation.

    What does it take for an organization to become a force in affordable housing preservation?   Four organizations that have successfully included rural affordable rental housing preservation as a priority will share their stories. Presenters will share what motivated their organization to take on preservation work, describe example preservation deals, and describe how preservation fits into their broader organizational strategy moving forward. If you are considering making housing preservation part of your affordable housing toolkit, this session will provide insight from organizations who are actively prioritizing preservation of affordable housing.

    Brian Muhs

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  • MHP’s 2025 Outstanding Advocate Awards

    MHP’s 2025 Outstanding Advocate Awards

    MHP is proud to present its 2025 Outstanding Advocate Awards. MHP recognizes outstanding volunteers and organizational partners who have made significant contributions to promote affordable housing solutions at the local, state, and federal levels.

    2025 Awardees:

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Beacon Interfaith Housing

    MHP is proud to recognize Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative as an organizational recipient of our 2025 Outstanding Advocate award. Beacon has provided leadership for key housing campaigns, engaged hundreds of residents in advocacy activities to influence local, state, and federal lawmaker decisions, and helped to bring media and public attention to key housing issues. From leading the Start with Home rally at the State Capital, to serving as co-chair of the Our Future Starts at Home campaign, to championing the narrative of homes we can afford, Beacon has exemplified what it means to organize for housing justice. 

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Leech Lake Financial Services

    MHP is proud to recognize Leech Lake Financial Services as an organizational recipient of MHP’s 2025 Outstanding Advocate Award. LLFS has built political will for homes, modeling the initiative, collaborative spirit, and “never quit” attitude needed to build a total of 15 new homes to serve community need through its Wealth Creation Project . Through collaboration with many funders and local partners, LLFS is creating homeownership opportunities for Native families and local community members. Their efforts promote empowerment and equity in homeownership and local asset building that will impact generations to come. LLFS is truly creating a model that demonstrates the incredible impact that investment in Native and rural homeownership can have! 

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless

    MHP is proud to recognize the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) as an organizational recipient of our 2025 Outstanding Advocate award. One of the premier organizations in the housing space with statewide reach, MCH has helped bring high profile attention to Minnesota’s housing needs from the Governor and legislative leaders year after year. Through its Advocacy Fellowship program and many other efforts, MCH has consistently ensured that those with lived experience are hands-on in developing policy, designing campaign strategy, and testifying at the Capital. Through its leadership on the Our Future Starts at Home campaign, and history of success in increasing funding for the Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP), MCH’s outstanding commitment to housing justice is clear. MCH is truly a mighty organization!  

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Deanna Hemmesch

    Deanna has influenced rural housing policy development with examples and experiences as a community-based developer. As a champion of preservation efforts for deeply affordable rural homes, such as USDA Section 515’s, Deanna has helped educate community members and local, state and federal elected officials on the importance of these homes for rural residents and rural communities. As a trusted and effective communicator about the importance of affordable homes, she has helped to build political will and public support throughout Central Minnesota. 

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Julie Nelmark

    Julia is a positive, collaborative, and knowledgeable housing advocate, helping to inspire and connect her colleagues in the affordable housing industry. As a regular member of the rural development workgroup, and a brilliant housing finance professional, Julia has identified policy issues and solutions important to rural communities. With her colleagues at MMCDC, Julia exemplifies excellence as a trusted partner of the state in administering the First Generation Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance program. Julia has brought rural perspectives to policy and advocacy efforts, ensuring Greater Minnesota expertise is reflected in policy conversations. 

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Paul Mellblom

    Paul’s efforts have helped build the public narrative for homes people can afford and enhanced excitement and support for housing solutions at the state level. Paul is the consummate networker, a skill he employs on behalf of affordable housing advocacy. From sharing his expertise with Housing Institute members, to participating in lobby days at the Capitol, to building support for the Our Future Starts at Home campaign, to championing affordable housing campaigns and organizations – Paul’s willingness to say “yes” is contagious and motivating. While he will claim he “has not done much,” Paul’s efforts reflect a critical ongoing commitment to housing justice and affordable housing solutions.  

    MHP Oustanding Advocate Award featuring Ryan Perez

    Ryan is a forceful advocate for fair housing and affordable homes. He has been a leader in advancing the Our Future Starts at Home Campaign, including providing strategy and organizing expertise, building political support, bringing in new organizational endorsers, and lending excitement and energy to this massive effort. Ryan has championed housing justice for all, including immigrant community members, by helping shape the public narrative, championing innovative policy wins like renter protections for use of individual taxpayer identification numbers, and supporting organizing efforts throughout the state.

    Brian Muhs

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  • Lower Brule Sioux Nation: Building a Roadmap for the Future

    MHP staff are currently providing technical assistance to the Lower Brule Sioux Nation in South Dakota. The MHP team is working collaboratively with the Nation’s Council and staff members to work toward: housing preservation and creation, infrastructure improvement, strengthening local economic systems, and increasing access to mental health services. In partnership with Lowe Brule Sioux, MHP staff are currently designing a master plan that will act as a road map to guide the team and the community as they work towards accomplishing short and long-team goals. In September, the team led a series of engagement activities aspart of the community-led master planning process, facilitating four focus groups, as well as one large community-wide event. The focus groups reached a diverse set of voices—youth, elders, benefit recipients, and tribal staff. The team also facilitated a large community event; 117 adults attended, many were families that also brought their children to participate. So far the team is well on its way to completing this foundational community planning step that will shape a 15-year master plan for the Tribe. The feedback MHP received so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and staff are excited to build on this momentum as the team synthesizes the data collected and continues moving the vision forward!

    Brian Muhs

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  • Housing Institute for SW MN: Workshop 3

    Housing Institute for SW MN: Workshop 3

    When: October 7 · 4:30pm – October 8 · 3:15pm CDT
    Where: Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort, Granite Falls
    Who: Participant organizations for Housing Institute 10 for Southwest Minnesota, 2025-2026
    What: Established in 2010, the Housing Institute brings together housing leaders and stakeholders to share their experiences, learn best practices, and develop creative solutions for bringing quality affordable housing to their communities.

    Learn more about the Housing Institute here.

    MHP’s Housing Institute is generously supported by: 

    CenterPoint Energy Foundation logo
    HUD - Greater MN Housing Fund logo
    Southwest Initiative Foundation logo

    Jenny Jones

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  • MHP’s 2025 Impact

    MHP’s 2025 Impact

    In FY2025, MHP partnered with organizations, housing professionals, local governments, and advocates to advance policies, investments, and projects across Minnesota and beyond. These efforts build on years of collaboration, authentic partnerships, and earned trust across the housing continuum. Our research remains a core reference for housing advocates and media statewide.

    This year brought dramatic changes at the federal level, particularly in housing policy and funding. While the full impact on Minnesota programs and MHP’s federal contracts is still unfolding, our ability to respond quickly and provide timely information has been another example of MHP’s leadership in the housing ecosystem.

    MHP once again received a clean audit, demonstrating strong stewardship, and is on track to finish FY2025 with an operating surplus, ensuring a strong start to FY2026. Our small but mighty staff—dedicated, skilled, and passionate—remain the driving force behind our success.

    Our community development work continues to thrive, as shown by growing requests for our expertise and partnership on federal funding applications. And our commitment to racial equity, grounded in research and strengthened by ongoing learning, continues to guide our collaborations and accountability as we work toward becoming a truly anti-racist organization.

    See Our 2025 Impact

    Highlights from FY2025 

    Secured over $23M in new federal funding, including the largest grant in MHP’s history — broadening the tools available to communities and Tribes to address housing needs. 

    Released seven major research reports that shaped housing policy debates and gave advocates and communities the tools to advance equitable housing solutions. 

    Grew the Our Future Starts at Home coalition to 80+ organizations and built bipartisan momentum for Yes to Homes zoning reform — broadening the base of support for lasting housing solutions.  

    Secured increased rental assistance funding through the Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program — the largest housing budget item in 2025 — through MHP’s leadership of the ERASE campaign. 

    Preserved or placed 300 homes into the pipeline nationwide, including Tribal and rural partnerships that restored housing for elders and launched neighborhood revitalization. 

    Submitted three LIHTC applications with nonprofit partners, positioning nearly 90 homes for creation or preservation.

    Helped launch 15 new homes with Leech Lake Financial Services, celebrated as a model of Tribal and rural partnership. 

    Increased year-over-year Investor Circle contributions, exceeding $350,000 budget target, and secured new foundation partnerships. 

    Once again MHP received clean annual and federal audits for the prior fiscal year, reinforcing strong financial stewardship we aim to continue for this coming year. MHP also ended FY2025 with more than $1M in funds. 

    MHP’s work featured in 140 media stories, amplifying our impact and reinforcing our role as a leading housing voice.

    Demand for MHP’s online resources grew sharply in FY25 — the website had 85,000 views (up nearly 20%) and 31,000 active users (up nearly 30%).

    Jenny Jones

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