Thursday, November 5 · 8-9:30 am
Location: Carpenters Union, 710 Olive St., St. Paul, MN 55130
Just 48 hours after Election Day, join MHP for Election Reflection 2026: What’s Next for Housing, a timely bipartisan conversation about what Minnesota’s election outcomes could mean for housing.
Hear expert analysis, connect with colleagues in Minnesota’s housing community, and gain insight into the political landscape ahead. Coffee and light breakfast will be provided.
August 30, 2026
On August 30th, MHP’s Elizabeth Glidden, presented on state housing solutions at the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) Annual Meeting in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The annual conference brings together the region’s legislators for four engaging days of connection, collaboration, and learning. MHP’s presentation is available here.
Thank you for those who joined MHP and Habitat Minnesota for 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].
This webinar, hosted by MHP’s Kendra Home and Alma Perez, will provide an overview of the USDA Rural Development Section 515 program, preservation strategies, available tools, and MHP’s free support opportunities for nonprofits and housing authorities interested in acquiring, rehabilitating, preserving, or recapitalizing RD 515 properties. Fee-for-service technical assistance is also available to for-profit organizations and other entities.
This session is ideal for:
We encourage you to share this webinar with those interested in learning more about the RD 515 program and preservation of affordable rural housing.
MHP is joining Minnesota Housing and other partners for a regional housing event to explore housing development resources and technical assistance to help your community meet its needs. Connect with other attendees from the region to discuss housing needs and brainstorm opportunities. In addition to speakers on housing development resources, this event will feature panelists highlighting local community collaborations and housing developments in the region.
This event will focus on the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux and the counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, Upper Minnesota Valley, and Yellow Medicine.
MHP’s Policy Manager Courtney Schaff joined housing and healthcare leaders from across Minnesota for a discussion on the 2026 legislative session and opportunities to strengthen housing outcomes through cross-sector collaboration. Hosted by the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund’s Healthcare for Housing initiative, the conversation brought together representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, CentraCare, Children’s Minnesota, Essentia Health, and Fairview Health Services. Participants also heard from Representative Spencer Igo, co-chair of the Minnesota House Housing Finance and Policy Committee, who shared insights on the legislative session and the role housing plays in supporting healthy, thriving communities.
MHP is proud to present its 2026 Legislative Leader Awards to housing champions who have advanced homes people can afford as an issue of statewide importance. These lawmakers have led impactful policies and housing investments, elevated housing in public conversations, and partnered with MHP, advocates, and communities to move meaningful solutions forward. Each of MHP’s awardees has demonstrated a deep commitment to making a difference for Minnesotans.
In a challenging legislative year both politically and fiscally, Senator Port crafted a creative and remarkable housing omnibus with significant investment in housing resources. Throughout her four years as Chair of the Senate Housing and Homeless Prevention Committee, Senator Port has been thoughtful, accessible, and deeply engaging with advocates and lawmakers alike. Among her many accomplishments as a trusted and effective champion for home, she has pushed for meaningful land use and zoning reform, led the way on Housing Infrastructure Bonds, and brought voice to the need for emergency rental assistance in response to Operation Metro Surge. MHP thanks Senator Port for her steadfast leadership on housing policy and funding, for elevating housing as a legislative priority, and for finding creative paths to bipartisan progress.
Senator Boldon’s leadership has helped advance housing as a priority among her Senate colleagues and within communities across Minnesota. From championing issues impacting her district to ensuring that policy and investments equitably support our most vulnerable Minnesota families, she has been an effective leader for housing stability. In addition to her leadership on emergency housing assistance, and long-term solutions like the constitutional amendment for housing, Senator Boldon made significant progress in advancing policies to improve the safety, security, and stability of manufacture home park residents. Her work has made a lasting impact.
Senator Mohamed’s visionary leadership and work to build trusting relationships with constituents, advocates and her colleagues have become a template for advancing successful housing solutions. Her consistent and active advocacy for housing stability, her enthusiasm for people-centered policy outcomes, and her strategic thinking have contributed to her reputation as a committed and influential champion for homes people can afford. MHP thanks Senator Mohamed for her robust work this year to move the constitutional amendment for long-term solutions for housing.
Senator Draheim’s real estate experience, curiosity, and willingness to ask tough questions has long made him an effective Chair and member of the Senate’s housing committees. His advocacy for a stand-alone Senate committee on housing was critical to providing housing issues the attention they deserve at the legislature. Throughout his years of public service, he has brought a solutions-oriented approach to advancing housing conversations across Minnesota. We thank Senator Draheim for his years of service to Minnesota with MHP’s Legislative Leader: Lifetime Achievement Award.
As Co-Chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, Representative Howard has been a consistent and collaborative champion for home, building support for housing among colleagues and leadership. Undeterred by navigating the challenges of fiscal uncertainty and the power-sharing of a divided House of Representatives, housing as the foundation of a stable life has remained core to Representative Howard’s advocacy. He has pushed for meaningful land use and zoning reform, led the way on Housing Infrastructure Bonds, and worked cooperatively across the aisle to advance successful, bipartisan solutions for home. A true partner to advocates and an effective results-driven lawmaker, MHP thanks Representative Howard for his continued leadership for affordable homes and housing stability.
Representative Igo’s enthusiastic embrace of bold ideas and smart solutions for housing has solidified his reputation as an effective champion for home. While consistently focused on the needs of his district, Representative Igo has been adept in identifying policy and funding solutions with statewide impact. From championing workforce housing, to advocating for more homes through the State Housing Tax Credit and Starter Homes Act, to ensuring vulnerable Minnesotans have access to stable homes, Representative Igo worked cooperatively across the aisle and within his caucus to secure significant investments in housing this session. MHP thanks Representative Igo for his partnership and practical approach that generates results.
Representative Kozlowski’s passion for home, and embrace of lived experience leadership, has made them a go-to lawmaker for housing stability results. Through compelling storytelling, fearless advocacy, and an unwavering connection to community, Representative Kozlowski has elevated the real experiences behind Minnesota’s housing challenges and solutions alike. Widely respected for their accessibility and authenticity, they have become a trusted partner to advocates across the state. MHP gives special thanks to Representative Kozlowski for championing emergency rental assistance in response to Operation Metro Surge and bringing voice to the harmful statewide impacts of the federal agents in Minnesota.
MHP is proud to present its 2026 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 Rico Morales as a 2026 Outstanding Advocates. Rico has built political will and shaped the conversation about housing by ensuring his lived experience leadership is heard by local lawmakers. He has influenced policy design and built lawmaker support for emergency rental assistance, supportive services, and preventing homelessness at the local government and state levels. As a strong organizer and community leader, Rico has brought new people to the table in shaping policy and influencing our housing narrative. From his leadership positions on many boards and working groups, to testifying at the legislature, to motivating community advocates to get involved, Rico Morales has modeled outstanding commitment to housing justice.
MHP is proud to recognize Stephannie Lewis as a 2026 Outstanding Advocate. Stephannie has been an enthusiastic and effective advocate for homes we can afford, building the public narrative with personal stories and support for structural solutions. As an engaged member of the Our Future Starts at Home campaign and efforts to increase emergency housing assistance, Stephannie has testified, mobilized her network, and helped elevate the urgency of housing stability solutions. A big-picture thinker and collaborative leader, Stephanie has supported housing leaders across the continuum, offering strategic insight, encouragement, and partnership to help advance lasting solutions for Minnesotans.
MHP is proud to recognize Skip Duchesneau as a 2026 Outstanding Advocate. Skip is a fierce proponent of rural communities and ensuring there are homes to meet all needs and income levels. Skip is frequently sought after for his expert feedback on rural development issues by state officials, fellow practitioners, advocates, and lawmakers—he generously gives his time to educate and support peers and colleagues. As a champion of preservation efforts for deeply affordable rural homes, such as USDA Section 515 properties, he has engaged federal, state, and local lawmakers to build political will and awareness of impacts for vulnerable rural residents. An engaged member of the rural development workgroup and a long-time champion of workforce housing and the State Housing Tax Credit Program, Skip is a trusted and effective communicator about the importance of home and the partnerships needed for effective solutions.
MHP is proud to recognize Sadie Hart as a 2026 Outstanding Advocate. As a key influencer in Minnesota, Sadie’s community-focused leadership style and relationships have been critical to advancing efforts to secure sustainable and predictable state funding for housing stability and home at the scale required to meet the need. Sadie has been an active member of many state campaigns to advance supportive housing, emergency housing assistance, and dedicated funding for home—advocating with lawmakers and committees where decisions are made. She has taken initiative in meeting with local elected leaders to support housing solutions and build relationships. We are thankful for Sadie’s partnership with housing justice advocates in advancing housing solutions for Minnesota families.
The Edge Groundbreaking Ceremony June 17
WHAT: The Edge groundbreaking ceremony and brief remarks, light refreshments provided
WHO: D.W. Jones, DigiKey, Sanford, Minnesota Housing, City of Thief River Falls, Northern State Bank, Minnesota State Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho, Representative John Burkel, other elected officials, invited media and other guests, including Leah Hall, Director of Community Development, MHP
WHEN: Wednesday, June 17
1:00 p.m. (Ceremony at Sanford/Edge Construction Site)
2:00 p.m. (Refreshments at DigiKey)
2:30 p.m. (Optional tour of DigiKey)
WHERE: Ceremony- 1926 Sanford Pkwy, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Refreshments and Tour– DigiKey Headquarters 601 Barzen Ave S, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
About The Edge:
The Edge is a new 65‑unit, market‑rate workforce housing development coming to Thief River Falls. The project will offer a thoughtfully designed mix of studio, one‑bedroom, and two‑bedroom apartments developed by D.W. Jones. The project is supported by a $3.5 million contribution from DigiKey through the State Housing Tax Credit Contribution Program, along with tax increment financing through the City of Thief River Falls, helping address critical housing needs in the community.
