• 2026 Candidate Housing Questionnaire 

    No matter what part of Minnesota we’re from, having a safe, stable place to come home to is the foundation for our wellbeing. And while too many of us are facing barriers in belonging to a safe home we can afford; we can work together to address the state’s and our neighbor’s housing problems.  

    Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP), and Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota (Habitat Minnesota) have invited candidates for the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate to complete our 2026 Candidate Questionnaire on Housing Issues. All candidates have been invited to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire elevates housing as a priority to candidates and supports Minnesotans’ knowledge of where their candidates stand on policies that advance housing stability and end homelessness. This questionnaire is not meant to serve as an endorsement of or for any candidate or political party.  

    Collected responses are posted below. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each question to 250 words or fewer.

    Candidates CLICK HERE to Complete The 2026 Questionnaire

    Submit the Candidate Questionnaire on Housing Issues TODAY: https://mhp.sdho.dev/2026questionnaire/

    Housing Fact Sheets and Reports:

    Learn more about MHP and Habitat Minnesota:

    Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) works to strengthen development capacity and promote policy change, serving communities throughout Minnesota and the Unites States. MHP provides capacity building for Native and rural communities, produces original research, and advocates for public policies that support housing stability and strengthen communities. You can view our most recent research, including reports on housing needs in every district in Minnesota, at mhponline.org.   

    Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota (Habitat Minnesota) is the statewide support organization working in partnership with the dedicated staff and volunteers of the local Minnesota Habitat offices who are creating and preserving affordable homeownership across the state. Habitat Minnesota provides operational support, sustainable financial resources, and public policy and advocacy work, allowing Habitat offices to better serve their communities. Together, Habitat for Humanity across Minnesota believes affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities and is dedicated to building a world where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

    Candidate Responses

    Name Legislative Body Political Party Legislative District
    Jennifer Compeau House DFL 01B
    Dan Rogers Senate DFL 02
    Emily Thabes House DFL 02B
    Andrew Rockhold House R 04A
    Kim Kotonias McLaughlin Senate DFL 07
    Erin Ningen House DFL 07A
    Jen McEwen Senate DFL 08
    Krystyne Knutson Senate DFL 09
    Mary Carlson Senate DFL 11
    Monique Doward Senate FI 11
    Jack L’Heureux House DFL 11B
    Aric Putnam Senate DFL 14
    Brad Hennen House R 15A
    Glenn Gruenhagen Senate R 17
    Leah Hanson House DFL 18A
    Martha Brown House DFL 19A
    Caitlyn Sanow-Minett Senate DFL 21
    Jeremy Munson Senate R 22
    Liz Boldon Senate DFL 25
    Brad Trahan House R 25A
    Dan Wilson House DFL 26A
    Allie Wolf House DFL 26B
    Charles McConaughay House DFL 27B
    Gadisa Berkessa Senate DFL 31
    Chris Ford Senate DFL 32
    Amanda Matchett House DFL 32A
    Nat Smith Senate DFL 33
    Angela Thompson House DFL 33A
    Jason Heaser House DFL 34A
    Angela Nelson Senate DFL 35
    Kari Rehrauer House DFL 35B
    Kristy Janigo Senate DFL 37
    Darci Smith House DFL 37A
    Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley House DFL 38A
    Ngone Niang Senate Green 39
    Aaron Klemz House DFL 39A
    Amáda Márquez Simula House DFL 39B
    Rachel Japuntich Senate R 40
    John Marty Senate DFL 40
    Aisha Elmquist House DFL 40A
    William Beck House R 41B
    Jen Fox House DFL 41B
    Kyrstin Schuette House DFL 43A
    Jess Lewis House DFL 43B
    TJ Hawthorne House I 44B
    Larry Kraft House DFL 46A
    Cheryl Youakim House DFL 46B
    Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger Senate DFL 47
    Dustin DuFault Senate R 49
    Kris Babler Senate I 49
    Krish Subrahmanian Senate DFL 49
    Michael Howard House DFL 51A
    Christos Jensen House DFL 52A
    Todd Podgorski Senate R 53
    Rick Olson Senate DFL 54
    Lindsey Port Senate DFL 55
    Robert Bierman House DFL 56A
    Andrew Hattaway House R 56B
    Brian Cohn House DFL 57B
    Jamie Long House DFL 61B
    Robert Bushard Senate R 64
    Dave Pinto House DFL 64B
    Robyn Gulley Senate DFL 65
    Rocco Senate R 65
    Kathleen Bart Senate R 66
    Jay Xiong House DFL 67B

    For Housing Advocates

    What is my Legislative District? 

    Find your legislative district here.

    Who are my 2026 Legislative candidates?

    Find your 2026 Legislative candidates here.

    Advocacy Toolkit 

    Direct outreach is a powerful way to engage with candidates. Download this Advocacy Toolkit to support your candidate engagement.

    Contact your Candidates for the MN Legislature

    Directly contacting candidates, whether incumbents or challengers, can be a great way to increase the visibility on housing during election season. Find your candidates contact information here.

    Housing on the Ballot: Engaging Candidates in 2026

    We invite our advocacy partners to join us in elevating housing as a priority this election and to encourage candidates to share where they stand on policies that advance housing stability and end homelessness.

    Check out these resources to support your candidate engagement:

    Ready to join us in this work connecting with Minnesota State Legislative candidates? Make your Questionnaire Action Commitment here! Whether contacting candidates, writing a blog, or encouraging community members to participate, every action helps elevate housing as a priority issue during the election season. Together, we can ensure housing remains at the forefront of policy conversations so that every Minnesotan has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

    Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].

    Brian Muhs

    ,
    , , , ,

  • Statement from MHP Executive Director Anne Mavity on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

    Statement from MHP Executive Director Anne Mavity on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

    July 13, 2026

    The enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act marks a meaningful step toward making sure more people can afford a safe, stable place to call home.

    For too long, communities across Minnesota and across the country have had the ideas, partnerships, and local commitment needed to build and preserve homes, but outdated federal programs and limited tools have too often stood in the way. As a Minnesota-based organization working with communities nationwide, MHP knows that local leaders need federal tools that are flexible enough to meet local needs. This legislation helps remove some of those barriers. It gives communities more flexibility to build the homes they need, preserves rural rental homes that families and seniors depend on, supports manufactured housing communities, and strengthens programs that help people stay rooted in the places they call home.

    We are especially grateful for Senator Tina Smith’s leadership in advancing the Rural Housing Service Reform Act as part of this package. In rural Minnesota and across the country, USDA-financed rental homes are often one of the only options people can afford. At MHP, we have seen this firsthand through our national rural housing preservation work, including helping partners in Minnesota and other Midwest states preserve USDA Section 515 homes through ownership transfers and other preservation strategies. Preserving these homes means older adults can remain near family, workers can live in the communities they serve, and small towns can keep the housing foundation they need to thrive.

    This bill affirms what communities across Minnesota already know: housing is not a partisan issue. Every community needs homes people can afford. It reflects the same practical approach MHP has advanced through Yes to Homes: communities need modern tools, flexible rules, and local choices that make it easier to create the homes people need.

    MHP is proud to have helped elevate the importance of rural housing preservation and community-driven housing solutions, and we look forward to working with partners to put these tools to use for Minnesotans.

    —Anne Mavity, MHP Executive Director

    Brian Muhs

    ,
    , , ,

  • Pints, Policy & Progress (Happy Hour)

    Pints, Policy & Progress (Happy Hour)

    June 2, 4:00 pm | La Doña Cervecería

    As the Minnesota Legislature’s 2026 session comes to a close, we’re gathering to recognize the progress made and the people who made it possible. Join MHP and co-hosts at La Doña Cervecería on June 2 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. to celebrate the work of housing champions and lawmakers this session.

    Brian Muhs

    , , ,

  • MHP Statement on Legislative Passage of $165M Housing Package

    MHP Statement on Legislative Passage of $165M Housing Package

    MHP thanks lawmakers for coming together to advance a bipartisan $165 million housing package that includes Housing Infrastructure Bonds and critical program funding to help strengthen communities across Minnesota. Governor Walz’s inclusion of housing investments in his budget proposals helped keep housing at the center of negotiations throughout the legislative session, and MHP thanks Governor Walz for his commitment to housing and urges the Governor to sign the bill into law.

    In one of the most challenging budget environments in recent years — with an evenly divided Legislature, a structural budget imbalance, and significant federal uncertainty — state leaders worked collaboratively to advance creative housing solutions without new impacts to the state budget. The agreement includes investments in homelessness prevention, supportive housing, workforce housing, manufactured home communities, Housing Infrastructure Bonds, and other housing priorities that help Minnesotans thrive.

    The package includes:

    • $100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs)  
    • $40 million for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) through the Tyler Settlement
    • Approximately $25 million in interest earnings directed toward:
      • Greater Minnesota workforce housing
      • Supportive housing and homelessness response  
      • Manufactured home infrastructure grants  
      • Homeownership education  
      • Tenant education and hotline services
      • Minnesota Nice Home Share  
      • Housing Infrastructure Bond debt service  

    “This agreement demonstrates what is possible when leaders come together around practical, bipartisan solutions that help communities thrive,” said Anne Mavity, MHP’s Executive Director. “In a year defined by significant budget constraints and uncertainty, and within a tight partisan split in the legislature, Minnesota leaders recognized how essential these meaningful housing investments are to help strengthen communities across the state.” 

    Advancing a housing package of this size and scope in an evenly divided Legislature sends a strong message about Minnesota’s continued leadership and commitment to helping communities succeed. And, Minnesota continues to face a shortage of nearly 100,000 homes that people with the lowest incomes can afford and access. Continued partnership and investment will be needed to ensure communities across the state have the homes support workers, families, older adults, and future generations.

    Brian Muhs

    ,

  • Event Panel: Rising to the Challenge – Preservation Solutions for Homes We Can Afford Featuring Priya Jayachandran

    Event Panel: Rising to the Challenge – Preservation Solutions for Homes We Can Afford Featuring Priya Jayachandran

    March 3, 8:00 am | Wilder Foundation

    Join us for a timely discussion on housing preservation strategies that protect communities and meet the moment, featuring Priya Jayachandran, CEO of the National Housing Trust. She will be joined by Minnesota housing leaders with expertise in nonprofit development, culturally specific housing, and affordable housing investment to explore preservation strategies and what it takes to meet this moment locally:

    • Scott Cordes, Chief Operating Officer, Project for Pride in Living 
    • Chris LaTondresse, President & CEO, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative 
    • LeAnn Littlewolf, Executive Director, American Indian Community Housing Organization 
    • Dan Smith, Senior Vice President, US Bank Impact Finance 
    Headshots of four people speaking at a panel. Scott Cordes, Chris LaTondresse, LeAnne Littlewolf, and Dan Smith

    Priya Jayachandran: With 25 years of experience as a lender, developer, regulator, and advocate, Priya brings a rare, systems-level perspective to housing solutions. Her leadership includes serving as a senior policy advisor in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Multifamily Housing under President Obama, and since 2018, she has led the National Housing Trust, one of the nation’s leading voices for affordable housing preservation.

    Brian Muhs

    , , ,

  • Start with Home Rally

    Start with Home Rally

    February 23, 10:00 am | Minnesota Capitol Rotunda

    Hundreds of legislators and housing advocates gathered for the 4th Annual Start with Home Rally on Monday, February 23, to pack the Capitol Rotunda to make sure this session prioritizes legislation that:

    • Secures predictable housing investments
    • Saves and creates more homes
    • Expands access and opportunity
    Peggy Flangan speaks at a rally

    Brian Muhs

    , ,

  • MHP’s 2026 Legislative Preview

    MHP’s 2026 Legislative Preview

    Febuary 4th, 8:30am

    MHP’s Policy Manager Courtney Schaff hosted a 2026 Legislative Preview on Wednesday, Feb 4, featuring a conversation with housing committee chairs Senator Lindsay Port (DFL), Representative Mike Howard (DFL), and Representative Spencer Igo (R). A special thank you to our legislators for engaging with housing advocates and sharing their insights. A recording of the event, slide deck, and chat questions are now available

    Brian Muhs

    , ,

  • Webinar on Building for Extreme Weather

    Webinar on Building for Extreme Weather

    January 28, 2026 | 12 – 1 pm CST

    On January 28, MHP shared key insights from our national Building for Extreme Weather toolkit—a practical resource designed to help communities prepare for heat, flooding, high winds, and wildfires. The session highlighted simple, adaptable strategies drawn from across the country to strengthen housing, reduce long-term costs, and better protect residents.

    Brian Muhs

    , , ,

  • Act NOW to Protect Homes and Minnesota Families

    Act NOW to Protect Homes and Minnesota Families

    Jenny Jones

    ,
    , , , , ,

  • Tell your Legislators: Protect Federal Rental Assistance, Homes, and MN Families

    Tell your Legislators: Protect Federal Rental Assistance, Homes, and MN Families

    Take Action on Rental Assistance with Easy Form to Contact Your Lawmakers

    Minnesotans want to live near their work, send their kids to neighborhood schools, and feel safe at home. More than 100,000 Minnesota households—seniors, families, people with disabilities—rely on federal rental assistance to afford a place to live. Many more Minnesotans qualify for rental assistance but don’t receive it, due to insufficient funding. Now, proposed federal cuts threaten to take away Minnesotans’ ability to stay in their homes, putting lives and local economies at risk. 

    Congress is drafting their fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bills, including those that fund vital housing programs that prevent homelessness and keep families safe at home. While the draft spending bill released on July 13 by the House rejects the extreme dismantling of HUD programs proposed by President Trump in his FY26 budget request, many vital programs are facing cuts.  For details, see NLIHC’s complete analysis and updated budget chart. 

    The draft House bill would cut public housing and rental assistance by millions of dollars, leaving thousands of people without safe access to home. Even a 1% reduction to rental assistance would displace about a thousand Minnesota families—pushing more people into homelessness, straining shelters, schools, rural hospitals, and county safety nets, and drive up costs for our communities. 

    Contact Your Legislator in One Easy Step

    Jenny Jones

    ,
    , , , ,