• 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and across the country have had the ideas, partnerships, and local commitment needed to build and preserve homes, but outdated federal programs and limited tools have too often stood in the way.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

    ,
    , , ,

  • Opportunity Zones 2.0

    Opportunity Zones 2.0

    Thursday, October 16

    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 Lyons

    Catherine Lyons, Economic Innovation Group (EIG)

    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.

    Brian Muhs

    ,

  • 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

    , , , ,

  • Protect Our Homes: Federal Advocacy Day of Action!

    Protect Our Homes: Federal Advocacy Day of Action!

    Friday, September 5, 10:00 – 11:00 am

    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:

    • Updates on the federal FY26 budget proposals for housing 
    • Advocacy tools, tips, and how-to’s for sharing your housing story 
    • Templates and instructions for submitting letters to the editor and calling your Member of Congress (plus a practice exercise!) 

    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. 

    Brian Muhs

    ,

  • New Resource: Federal Housing Advocacy Toolkit

    New Resource: Federal Housing Advocacy Toolkit

    Congress is drafting the FY26 federal budget, which includes funding for vital housing programs that prevent homelessness and keep families safe at home. Many essential programs are facing cuts, including public housing and rental assistance. The U.S. House has already advanced a bill that makes deep and dangerous cuts to housing programs. Full overview of the federal budget proposals can be found here.

    This toolkit was created to make it easier for advocates across the state to speak up for strong federal investments in housing. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to take action—including key talking points, contact information for your members of Congress, sample social media posts, and more. By using a shared message and speaking out together, we can show lawmakers that funding housing is a priority in every community.

    • Messaging & Talking Points 
    • Calls to Action 
    • Congressional Contact Info 
    • Content Library (Social Media, LTEs, etc.) 
    • Storytelling & Messaging Amplification 
    • Events & Engagement 
    • Policy & Data Resources
    Go to the Toolkit!
    Submit a letter to legislators

    Jenny Jones

    ,
    , , , ,

  • Act NOW to Protect Homes and Minnesota Families

    Act NOW to Protect Homes and Minnesota Families

    Jenny Jones

    ,
    , , , , ,

  • Immigration Issues for Housers and Housing Advocates

    Immigration Issues for Housers and Housing Advocates

    Friday, July 18th | 10:00 – 11:00 am

    Please join us for a special presentation with Juventino Meza, the New Americans Immigration Hub Attorney with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. Juventino will provide an overview presentation with some time for questions.

    You are invited to submit questions for our presenter along with your registration – this will help guide the content of the presentation.

    Register to Attend!

    Brian Muhs

    ,
    ,

  • 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

    ,
    , , , ,

  • President Trump Releases “Skinny Budget”

    President Trump Releases “Skinny Budget”

    The President’s “skinny budget”: has been released and, as anticipated, makes deep cuts to non-defense discretionary spending by $163 billion, representing a cut of 22.6% from FY25 budget levels. The President’s budget makes devastating cuts to HUD and housing programs in other agencies. A list of spending cuts and other spending proposals, including to HUD, are here. The President’s full budget proposal will be released in the coming weeks.

    President Trump’s budget proposal includes a 44 percent reduction to HUD’s housing programs. The proposal calls for eliminating vital programs, such as the HOME Investment Partnership program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Fair Housing programs, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks America) and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). It also includes significant cuts for homelessness prevention, Native American programs, resilience and utility efficiency, and rural development programs, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).

    Rental Assistance

    The President’s budget proposal would slash rental assistance by more than 40%, or $26.72 billion, and combine all remaining funds and block grant them into one program, State Rental Assistance Block Grants. It would be up to states to continue to provide housing assistance to the millions of people who rely on it. The programs eliminated and replace with the block grant would include Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs), Public Housing, Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, and Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities. In addition, the President’s budget would impose a two-year time limit on receiving rental assistance for “able-bodied adults.”

    Supportive Housing

    The President’s proposal would eliminate the Continuum of Care Program and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and move them into the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, with a cut of $532 million. The ESG program cannot be used for long term housing, but rather only funds short-term shelters and housing limited to two years. See NYTimes coverage – impacts to supportive housing

    USDA Rural Housing Programs

    President’s preliminary budget would eliminate U.S. Department of Agriculture single-family housing direct loans (section 502), self-help housing grants, and rural housing vouchers, arguing these programs “are duplicative, too small to have macro-economic impact, costly to deliver, in limited demand, available through the private sector, or conceived as temporary.“

    House Reconciliation Bill and Tax Provisions

    The House of Representatives is expected to review all or portions of the reconciliation bill during the week of May 12. Republican goals for a reconciliation bill, which can avoid the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold, including extending tax cuts, expanding border security and defense, and cutting federal spending. The Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture Committees are responsible for determining key provisions of the bill, including tax cuts and extensions, cuts to Medicaid and healthcare assistance, and cuts to food assistance. 

    While housing assistance has not been identified as a potential target for cuts, cuts to anti-poverty programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), both named as targets for potentially large cuts, would negatively impact economic stability and housing stability for families and people with low incomes.

    House Tax Bill Expands Tax Credit

    The House Ways and Means Committee, on May 12, released legislative text for the House tax reconciliation bill, which includes an expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit), and expanding the Opportunity Zone tax credit. The bill would:

    • Increase the Housing Credit volume cap for 9 percent properties by 12.5 percent from 2026-29;
    • Lower the bond financing threshold to 25 percent for 4 percent Housing Credit properties placed in service after December 31, 2025; and
    • Provide a basis boost of up to 30 percent for properties located in rural and Native American areas.

    Take Action:

    The House Ways and Means Committee, on May 12, released legislative text for the House tax reconciliation bill, which includes an expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit), and expanding the Opportunity Zone tax credit. The bill would:

    • Use NLIHC’s toolkits and resources to take action on FY26 funding to urge Congress to pass a FY26 spending bill with increased funding for HUD’s affordable housing programs. You can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to look up your member offices or call/send an email directly.
    • Minnesota NAHRO has shared a one-pager of the impacts of HUD funding in Minnesota, here, You can use the NAHRO Action Alert to contact your Member of Congress about the devastating impact of the President’s proposed FY26 budget on rental assistance and public housing.

    Brian Muhs

    ,
    , ,

  • The Future of Rural Rental Housing: USDA Sec 515 Research & Remedies

    The Future of Rural Rental Housing: USDA Sec 515 Research & Remedies

    On May 3rd, MHP hosted a webinar based on the report: The USDA Section 515 Program and The Challenge of Preserving Affordable Housing in Greater Minnesota. Guests Ryan Allen, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Dani Salus, Preservation Supervisor, Multifamily Division, Minnesota Housing; and Adam Schiff, Agriculture Legislative Assistance, Office of Senator Tina Smith; and Elizabeth Glidden and Jill Henricksen held a conversation about the future of rural rental homes in Minnesota. Watch the Full Recording: here, and view Presentation slides (PDF): here, Meeting Chat (PDF): here.

    Brian Muhs

    , ,
    , , , , , , ,