Building Public Support for Housing Solutions in Minnesota
The stories we tell about housing shape what people believe is possible — and what solutions they’re willing to support. Through the Minnesota Housing Narrative Change Project, MHP partnered with Housing Narrative Lab to better understand how Minnesotans across rural, suburban, and urban communities think and talk about housing.
This research, conducted by Lake Research Partners, included focus groups and a statewide survey of 850 Minnesotans. The findings showed that when housing is framed around shared values, stability, fairness, and opportunity, people across political and geographic lines are far more open to solutions.
This work laid the foundation for a broader, ongoing effort to change how Minnesotans talk about housing — not as a niche issue, but as something that affects everyone and strengthens communities. This work continues to shape how MHP and partners approach housing communications, organizing, and community-led development efforts across the state.
The Next Chapter: Home Stories
Home Stories is a statewide storytelling platform that lifts up real voices and builds shared understanding about housing in Minnesota. It grew out of the Narrative Change Project and is led by the Heading Home Minnesota Funders Collaborative, with MHP as a partner.
Many of the tools and resources from this project now live on the Home Stories site, with more continuing to move there over time.
Explore stories and tools at:
👉 mnhomestories.com
Resources
- Narrative Messaging Guide
- Webinars on research findings and narrative change
- Social media tools and templates
Webinar: What is Narrative Change and Why Does It Matter?
Webinar: Moving People to Action
Webinar: Statewide Research and Findings
Webinar: Putting It Into Practice
Message Guide and Key Findings:
- Download the full messaging guide
- View an online version of the Message Guide
- Download a one-page summary of findings.
Social Media Tools
Click on a category to preview them!
Horizontal Images
Click here to download the collection of horizontal images that can be used to share narrative change messages on social media platforms.
Square Images
Click here to download the collection of square images.
GIFs
Click here to download the collection of .gifs that can be used to share narrative change messages on social media platforms.
Videos
Click here to download a collection of videos.
Marisol Bello, Executive Director of the Housing Narrative Lab sat down with MHP to explain the project.
Creating Tools for Narrative Change
What narrative change work is happening in MN?