2011 State Legislative Agenda
Create Jobs by Issuing Bonds for Public Housing Rehabilitation
Minnesota NAHRO seeks $10 million in general obligation bonds to finance public housing rehabilitation projects. This proposal will help create jobs in the residential construction sector by funding rehabilitation projects for the state’s aging public housing system. Public housing in Minnesota provides safe and affordable housing by serving:
- 36,000 low income households including, 64% of are headed by seniors or those with disabilities.
- One third of public housing residents are children, many of whom are at high risk of homelessness or recently homeless.
- Over 92% of housing authorities have a waiting list and are unable to meet demand for affordable housing during this housing crisis.
Appropriations for Housing & Community Revitalization
Minnesota NAHRO will work to maintain funding for affordable housing and economic development programs so communities can respond to the housing and economic crisis including appropriations for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Department of Human Services (DHS). Our priorities include:
- Preserve investment in the MHFA Challenge Fund - for every dollar invested, the program leverages $6.20 in other public and private investment
- Maintain funding for affordable housing programs such as the Rental Rehabilitation Program and Home Single Family Program at MHFA.
- Ensure funding for rural communities including DEED Small Cities, Redevelopment Account and Greater Minnesota Business Infrastructure Grant Program
- Oppose further cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA)
Strengthen Rental Options for Strong Communities
Vibrant communities offer a range of housing so residents can live near work, family and transportation corridors. Today many communities lack sufficient rental housing to meet the needs of their aging residents and working families. Access to decent, affordable, well-managed rental properties helps ensure that communities are good places to live and work. Minnesota NAHRO priorities include:
- Minimize MFIP housing penalty for families served by this critical DHS program
- Align state and federal requirements regarding the authority to establish late fees for publically administered rental programs
Support Innovative Funding Mechanisms for Housing & Community Development
Communities need resources to invest in their local economies and tools to attract development. Minnesota NAHRO supports innovative approaches to help communities:
- Leverage resources for affordable housing by capturing the growth of the Mortgage & Deed tax plus creating a state based low income housing tax credit (HousingJobs Campaign)
- Ensure continued pooling of resources under the TIF Jobs Bill by extending the sunset provision and clarifying the tax exempt status of HRA TIF districts
