ST. PAUL, MN – Lt. Governor Tina Smith today joined activists and housing experts for the Habitat for Humanity Day at the Capitol. Below is a statement from Lt. Governor Smith about Minnesota’s affordable housing needs.
“All Minnesotans need a safe, affordable place to call home. Since 2013, our Administration has invested more than $388 million, in partnership with private and nonprofit developers, to build and repair over 9,100 units of housing across Minnesota. This work has helped ease the affordable housing crisis, but we still have a lot more work to do. This year, Governor Dayton and I want to keep making progress, and so we propose a $110 million new affordable housing investment and an additional $12 million to complete the Dorothy Day homeless shelter in St. Paul. I urge the Legislature to make a significant investment in affordable housing this session.”
Opportunity Agenda for a Better Minnesota: Investing in Affordable Housing
This year, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have proposed a $1.5 billion investment in community infrastructure projects statewide, including $124 million in proposed funding for affordable housing.
• Affordable Housing Across Minnesota – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $110 million to construct and rehabilitate affordable housing across Minnesota.
• Dorothy Day Center – The Governor’s Jobs Bill would invest $12 million to finish the second phase of the Dorothy Day Connection and Opportunity Center. This facility will provide supportive mental and chemical health services, job training, meals and other resources to people experiencing homelessness.
• Perspectives Family Center – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $2 million for the expansion and rehabilitation of the Perspectives Family Center to serve homeless and at-risk families. This project includes a new therapeutic early childhood education center, expanded children’s mental health services and earth science programs.
• Homework Starts with Home – Through the Homework Starts with Home program, Governor Dayton’s budget includes $8 million to provide rental assistance to Minnesota families with children to ensure that students have stable housing throughout the school year. This funding would help as many as 850 families struggling with homelessness to access better opportunities tailored to meet their specific needs.
• Opening the Door to the American Dream – Americans have historically accumulated wealth and saved money for the future through homeownership. Currently, 77 percent of white households own their homes, while only 39 percent of households of color own their homes in Minnesota. This disparity is often aggravated by the unique barriers to homeownership facing Minnesotans of color. Governor Dayton’s Opportunity Agenda would invest $2 million to level the playing field for eligible first-time homebuyers with financial counseling and assistance with down payments and closing costs.
• A Second Chance for Quality, Affordable Housing – Minnesotans with a past criminal conviction can struggle to find work and housing decades later. In 2014, Governor Dayton signed legislation prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about most criminal convictions. This year, the Governor is proposing a $300,000 investment to extend the “Ban the Box” concept into rental housing. Under Governor Dayton’s proposal, landlords would have to proactively inform prospective applicants that a criminal background check would be conducted, how that information would be used, and what offenses would be disqualifying.
• Reducing Homelessness for College Students – To do homework, get a good night’s sleep, and be ready to succeed in the classroom, every college student needs a safe, stable home. But hundreds of Minnesota college students experience housing instability each year. That is why the Governor’s budget invests $250,000 to ensure more Minnesota college students have a safe and stable place to live.
