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.
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.
Director of Policy and Advocacy at Gary Advocacy LLC and Gary Community Ventures
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
On October 16th, 2025, MHP hosted the MN Rural Housing Workgroup and housing partners statewide for a discussion of Opportunity Zones 2.0. What are the opportunities and challenges for Opportunity Zones in Minnesota?
Thank you to Catherine Lyons, Senior Director of Policy and Coalitions at the Economic Innovation Group (EIG) for a fantastic presentation and discussion of Opportunity Zones (OZ) 2.0, including impacts of OZ on housing supply to date and potential community benefits from OZ 2.0. EIG has provided research and analysis of Opportunity Zones, as well as advocating for its permanent inclusion in the tax code.
Opportunity Zones (OZ) were originally enacted in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OZ became a permanent part of the federal tax code in the OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). As described by EIG, “the new OZ benefit structure heavily favors rural over non-rural investment, offering triple the standard step-up in basis benefit (30 percent versus the standard 10 percent) for investments made in a newly-created class of rural qualified opportunity funds, in addition to cutting the “substantial improvement” test in half for investments in rural areas.”
Additional Resources:
Catherine is Senior Director of Policy and Coalitions at EIG. Prior to joining EIG, she was Southern California Director for FWD.us, a bipartisan advocacy organization focused on immigration reform. Previous to that, she led the housing and community development policy work for the Bay Area Council in the San Francisco Bay Area. She served as an AmeriCorps member in New Orleans after receiving Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Southern California in Print Journalism and International Relations. She received her Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, during which she interned at the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and the U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget.
On October 7th, 2025, MHP hosted the HUD and USDA Contingency Plan Walkthrough, a virtual event. Much appreciation to our presenter, Anne Smetak, of the Housing Justice Center, for sharing her expertise with us. You can view Anne’s slide deck here, which has links to many resources.
Please reach out to Anne with further questions: Anne Smetak (she/her), Director and Senior Counsel for Housing System Response, Housing Justice Center, at [email protected]
Resources on Shutdown:
MHP is proud to present its 2025 Legislative Leader Awards to housing champions. These lawmakers have promoted homes we can afford as an issue of public importance, advanced impactful policies and housing investments, and championed MHP’s policy initiatives. All of MHP’s awardees have demonstrated a deep resolve to make a difference for Minnesotans.
Rep. Dotseth, as co-vice chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, was accessible to advocates and enthusiastically worked to advance meaningful solutions. As author of multiple housing bills, including the State Housing Tax Credit and land use and zoning reform, Rep. Dotseth was a key influencer in his caucus, and in the housing committee, for effective solutions and stable homes.
Rep. Howard has consistently acted to advance affordable housing investment and policy, and secure sustained support for housing as a top issue in the House of Representatives. As co-chair of the housing committee, he worked cooperatively to ensure bipartisan support for a robust housing target, lead bipartisan efforts to advance land use and zoning reform bills, and continued as chief author of the bill for dedicated revenue for home through a constitutional amendment.
As the co-chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, Rep. Igo exhibited an inexhaustible desire to learn about statewide needs for affordable homes, and advance policies and funding for solutions. He was a present, engaging, and accessible leader—attending forums, rallies, and conversations where he elevated housing as a top issue for Minnesotans. He fought for a robust target for the housing committee, helped advance land use and zoning reform bills, and ensured that the housing omnibus bill addressed highest priority needs for housing, including for rural communities.
As Vice Chair of the Housing Finance and Policy committee, Rep Kozlowski has been a consistent champion for homes we can afford, advancing both policy and investment with significant effort. They have helped to shape the public narrative around housing by sharing personal stories and mentoring housing advocates, ensuring committee discussion is grounded in the personal experiences of Minnesota people and families. They have advanced and led on land use and zoning reform bills, helping to identify strategies and influence caucus support for structural change.
Rep. Kraft has provided critical leadership by convening bipartisan conversations and engaging diverse stakeholders, including MHP, as a champion for land use and zoning reform. He has worked tirelessly to build backing within his caucus, make a persuasive case for change, and advance substantial policy reforms to support homes Minnesotans can afford.
Rep. Mekeland promoted significant policy reform to support homes we can afford, including authoring a bill to advance regulatory reform for land use and zoning. He was accessible and engaged with MHP, lifted up the importance of homes for Minnesota families, and underscored housing as a top policy priority within his caucus.
Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley advanced a vision for homes that all Minnesotans can afford, with enthusiasm and strategic effort. As chief author of a bill to increase emergency rental assistance, she fought tirelessly to prioritize support for renters and deeply affordable homes. Accessible to housing advocates and persuasive with her colleagues and leadership, she strove to establish bipartisan partnerships in support of home.
Rep. Nash has continued, year after year, to advance the case for homes we can afford in Minnesota. As a key leader of efforts to reform land use and zoning in Minnesota, Rep Nash has provided strategic insights to advance meaningful policy change for home and worked to build the case for affordable homes and homeownership within his caucus.
Sen. Boldon has been an engaged and influential housing leader, an important voice within her caucus, and a champion for Greater Minnesota housing solutions. She authored many housing bills and built support within her caucus, including for supportive housing, housing development, and emergency rental assistance. She has consistently championed structural change, including dedicated revenue for housing, as a necessary solution.
Sen. Mohamed has tenaciously advocated year after year for structural reforms that strengthen investments and policies supporting Minnesotans’ access to stable homes. As chief author of the constitutional amendment for housing, a supporter of innovations like adaptive reuse, and a leader ensuring grassroots partners have the resources to serve families needing stability effectively, she has been one of the legislature’s most consistent champions for making home a top priority.
As the Senate’s housing chair, Sen. Port continued to champion affordable homes, including fighting for a housing budget target, providing leadership on advancing multiple land use and zoning reform bills, and holding a hearing on the constitutional amendment for housing – helping to build support for dedicated revenue for affordable homes.
Sen. Rasmusson supported significant housing solutions through regulatory reform, working with his colleagues to advance the Minnesota Starter Home Act. He led meaningful conversations around policies that lead to safe and stable homes. His willingness to engage with MHP and its stakeholders reflected his commitment to addressing housing challenges.
MHP Deputy Executive Director Elizabeth Glidden will be participating in a panel at the 2025 Hope in Action: A Conference for Non-Profit Leaders who Serve!
Best & Promising Practices in Services and Policy: A Housing Panel featuring Jenny Larson, Michael Dahl, Elizabeth Glidden, Jason Krebsbach & Julie Laramie
From ending homelessness to providing rental opportunities to promoting homeownership, creating and maintaining affordable homes for all requires work across a wide spectrum. Hear from a variety of policy experts and service providers about the types of strategies being used to address the need for affordable housing.
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature approved the Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) program, funded by a 0.25% Metro sales tax for use in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan area, and a Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) program funded through appropriations. Cities and counties have discretion to spend funds on a broad range of eligible affordable housing projects, including for emergency rental assistance.
Join us to hear from three counties and cities about how they have utilized LAHA and SAHA funds, what has worked, and what challenges they have confronted.
Our program will feature:
After case study presentations, we will host a panel discussion with our guests. Local and Statewide Affordable Housing Aid resources are here.
This event is sponsored by the Minnesota ERASE campaign, which works to end rental arrears and stop eviction through advocacy for emergency rental assistance and related resources.
Congress is drafting the federal FY26 budget, and vital housing programs that prevent homelessness and keep families safe are on the line. None of the current proposals—from the President, the House, or the Senate—provide enough funding to sustain even our existing services. Any cuts to housing supports, at a time we need more not less, will be devastating.
Now is the time to share your housing story! When Congress returns from its August recess on September 2, it’s critical for our Members of Congress to hear directly from us about the importance of homes we can afford.
At this meeting we will provide:
Join us to take action together. It’s not too late – September is a pivotal moment to remind Congress that safe, stable homes must be a top priority.
To get ready, check out our Federal Advocacy Toolkit for Minnesotans with talking points, sample social media posts, and more.