Housing for All
Housing is a fundamental human right, and our city must take decisive action to ensure everyone has safe and stable housing. Currently, Ward 9 faces challenges with homelessness, leaving residents hopeless.
To tackle housing insecurity and homelessness, we should adopt a comprehensive "housing first" approach that addresses individuals' needs, including addiction, mental health, employment, and economic challenges. We need both immediate and sustainable solutions, such as increasing low-barrier shelters, preventing rental evictions, enhancing renter protections, addressing homelessness among Minneapolis Public Schools students, investing in youth, tackling the opioid crisis, and fostering partnerships with government agencies.
What We Did:
Affordable Housing Trust Fund: My office has prioritized affordable housing investments in Minneapolis and Ward 9. We support the City’s capital gap financing for multifamily rental projects (10+ units, with at least 20% at or below 50% AMI), with funding of $16.8 million for 2023, $18 million for 2024, and $17.9 million in 2025.
Key funding approvals include:
$4 million for preservation and rehabilitation of 212 units at Little Earth in East Phillips/Ward 9.
$3.25 million for 98 mixed-income units at Cheatham Apartments in Howe/Ward 9, including 26 units at 30% AMI.
$1.36 million for the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative NorthView Project, preserving 31 units (22 at 30% AMI) in Powderhorn and surrounding neighborhoods.
$1.23 million for the Belfry Apartments Project at 3901 Chicago Ave, providing 41 affordable units near George Floyd Square.
I also authored a Legislative Directive to explore more funding for 30% AMI units and initiatives for production, preservation, and rehabilitation. Additionally, I passed an amendment adding "Youth" to the Equitable Development eligibility criteria to address youth homelessness.
Extended Pre-Eviction: Authored an ordinance extending the pre-eviction notice from 14 to 30 days, giving renters more time to access rental assistance programs or resolve issues with their landlord before a formal eviction is placed on their record. This is a major first step in preventing homelessness.
South Minneapolis AVIVO Village: To address the disproportionate impact of homelessness in South Minneapolis, I led efforts to establish an Avivo Village by passing a $1 million Budget Resolution to support AVIVO's application for a $10 million state grant. This initiative aims to create indoor community spaces and private dwellings or tiny houses offering shelter and wraparound services for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Agate Housing Rehabilitation Project (510 S. 8th Street): When the Downtown Shelter announced its closure, I authored a Budget Resolution to rehabilitate the building and preserve vital housing services. The $1.5 million grant, which required a match, was successfully passed with a private donor contributing an additional $1.5 million, ensuring the re-opening of these essential services can occur in late 2025.
Avivo Village Stabilization and Shelter Operations Grant: Authored and passed a $1.6 million Budget Amendment that will help stabilize the shelter operations of Avivo Village to prevent losing needed services meant to address homelessness. This shelter is a first-ever, indoor community of 100 secure, private dwellings or “tiny houses” that provides shelter and wraparound services to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Stable Homes Stable Schools Expansion Program: Authored and passed a budget amendment that will fund an expansion of the Stable Homes Stable School program with an Early Childhood Prevention Pilot Program and a Middle School Pilot Program to reduce homelessness. By funding these pilot expansions, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority estimates an additional 180-225 families (representing 440-565 children) could be served by the program.
Public Safety Improvement Low-Barrier Employment Pilot Program: Authored and passed a Budget Amendment to establish a program that will employ adults encountering homelessness or housing instability with sustainable low-barrier work and income and increasing the cleanliness and livability of the Southside Green Zone.
Increased Vacant Building Fees: Passed an ordinance accelerating enforcement on vacant buildings and increasing fees for owners who leave properties empty, discouraging neglect and disrepair.
Public Health Response to Unsheltered Homelessness Funding: Authored and passed a Budget Amendment that will help ensure there is an adequate public health approach to encampments.
Safe Outdoor Space Program/Safe Parking Program Funding: Authored and passed a Budget Amendment that will fund a program that will provide a secure overnight space for people living in their vehicles. Providing safe parking spaces for people living in vehicles may be an effective early intervention model, helping to prevent some people from sliding further into homelessness.
Social Housing Study: Authored and passed a Budget Amendment that will provide resources for a study by subject matter experts on how the City of Minneapolis could support the development of social housing, which is a form of public housing that is permanently and deeply affordable, under community control, and exists outside of the speculative real estate market.
Encampment Removal Reporting: Authored and passed an ordinance increasing transparency and accountability by requiring regular quarterly reporting around encampment removal actions, including costs, staff present, services offered and residents impacted.
Renter’s Rights Mandatory Disclosure: Passed an ordinance requiring property owners to disclose key information to tenants before lease signing, including renter rights, owner contact details, property rental license status, housing code violations, and other relevant details.
Office to Residential Housing Conversions: Passed an ordinance streamlining the city’s review process for converting non-residential buildings to residential use, quickly turning unused spaces into readily available housing, particularly in areas like downtown.
Agate Housing and Shelter Project (2806 27th Ave S, Ward 9): Approved $1.62 million to develop a shelter with 54 beds and 50 apartments, along with support services, communal areas, and a health clinic.
Navigation Center Legislative Directive: Authored and passed a directive for a comprehensive overview of the former Navigation Center, the City’s first government sponsored center providing social services and beds. The City Council will receive a report in 2025 detailing costs, outcomes, potential new locations, required actions, partnerships, and funding needed for advancement.
Right to Counsel: Secured funding for legal counsel for those facing displacement in Minneapolis (2023-2025). I'll continue to support these efforts.
Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing Restructure: Authored a resolution to amend the Committee's membership by adding two seats for individuals who are currently or have formerly been unhoused (family and single community). Addressing the housing crisis requires collaboration with those most affected.
Public Housing and Fire Suppression Funding: In 2023, we invested over $3 million in public housing. In 2024, we increased funding to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority by an additional $4 million, totaling $5 million. I also supported a $1.2 million amendment for fire suppression systems in four MPHA buildings, completing funding for fire protection in all high-rise buildings.
Housing First and Homelessness Prevention Strategies: Directed the City Auditor's Office to conduct a national analysis of local policies and strategies to reduce unsheltered homelessness using a Housing First model. A report will be released in 2025 to inform a policy resolution on adopting this approach.
Tenant Based Rental Assistance: Transfered $1.8 million in funding from Rainbow Health to the Aliveness Project to ensure continuity of services to clients and lessen the impact to the community after the abrupt closure of Rainbow Health. This will provide tenant-based rental assistance with supportive services to approximately 15 households, with the option of annual renewal based on performance and funding availability.
Minneapolis Homes Program: This initiative aims to eliminate racial disparities in homeownership and develop 1-20 unit housing across Minneapolis. I supported $2.5 million in funding for 2023, $2 million for 2024, and a TBD amount for 2025.
Housing and Homelessness Services: Authored a 2023 Budget Amendment of $350,000 for an external contractor to provide various services in the Elliot Park Neighborhood for those facing homelessness, unstable housing, food insecurity, and deep poverty, including healthy meals, hygiene supplies, showers, laundry, mail services, healthcare access, employment support, veterans’ benefits, mental health assistance, and connections to additional resources.
Intergovernmental Relations: Amended the City’s Legislative Agenda to advocate for funding innovative housing models and Housing First initiatives, and to support Land Value Tax authorization for cities.
Looking Ahead:
Safe Outdoor Space and Safe Parking Ordinance: Create an ordinance to legalize regulated outdoor spaces and micro-communities for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, providing healthy, secure, staffed environments. This will also include designated safe parking areas for those living in their vehicles to sleep and access services.
Humane Encampment Response Ordinance: Create a policy addressing homelessness that includes personal belongings storage, eviction notices, public health services, limited police involvement, and guaranteed housing.
City Template Requirements for Housing Incidents: Create an ordinance mandating landlords to inform applicants and tenants of their rights related to application denials and evictions, along with resources for assistance.
90-Day Advance Notice of Proposed Sale: Support a shift from a 60-day to a 90-day advance notice for proposed sales to help preserve affordable housing and give tenants adequate time to assess their options.
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act: Allow tenants to buy their homes without displacement and provide time to submit offers.
Just Cause Notice Ordinance: Support an ordinance requiring landlords to explain non-renewals, provide ample notice, and offer relocation assistance to renters being asked to leave.
Rent Control Ordinance: Support a city-wide rent control policy to keep housing affordable and prevent displacement.
Tenant Rights to Organize: Support an ordinance guaranteeing renters' right to organize and form tenant unions for better protections.
Collaborative Approach: As a City Council Member, I will collaborate with Federal, State, County, City, and Park Board governments to address homelessness and affirm housing as a human right.
Support the LGBTQIA+ community at risk of homelessness by funding initiatives that reduce barriers and promote a safe, healthy environment.