Housing for All
Housing is a fundamental human right, and our city must take bold action to ensure everyone has safe, affordable and stable housing. I’m a strong believer in a comprehensive housing first approach that addresses individuals' needs, including addiction, mental health, employment, and economic challenges.
My vision includes both immediate and sustainable solutions, such as increasing low-barrier shelters and affordable housing stock, reducing rental evictions and enhancing renter protections, addressing homelessness with compassion, tackling the opioid crisis, keeping seniors in their homes, and fostering strong partnerships with government agencies for a more collaborative approach.
What We Did:
Affordable Housing Trust Fund: My office has prioritized affordable housing investments in Minneapolis and Ward 9. I have supported 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 investments 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.
Additionally, I passed an amendment adding "Youth" to the Equitable Development eligibility criteria to address youth homelessness.
30-Day Rental Pre-Eviction Notice Ordinance: 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.
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.
Bloom Lake Flats (3020 16th Ave S, Ward 9): Approved $231,210 in grant funding to stabilize 42 units of affordable housing dedicated to households exiting homelessness.
Minnehaha Commons (3001 East Lake Street, Ward 9): Approved $175,159 in grant funding to stabilize 44 units of affordable housing and with a specialization in serving seniors with a history of homelessness.
Avivo Village Stabilization and Shelter Operations Grant: Authored a $1.6 million budget amendment to help stabilize the shelter operations of Avivo Village. 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.
Native American Community Clinic-Housing: Approved $1 million in affordable housing funding for 83-units of affordable multifamily rental housing with a new clinic space for the clinic in Phillips.
Stable Homes Stable Schools Expansion Program: Authored a budget amendment that will fund create an Early Childhood Prevention Program and a Middle School Program to reduce homelessness. 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 a budget amendment to establish an employment program for adults encountering homelessness or housing instability. These low-barrier opportunities will increase the cleanliness and livability of the Southside Green Zone.
Encampment Removal Reporting Ordinance: Authored 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 signing a lease, 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 to address vacancies in Downtown.
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. This is also meant to foster development.
Public Health Response to Unsheltered Homelessness Funding: Authored a budget amendment that provides resources for an adequate public health approach to encampments.
Safe Outdoor Space Program/Safe Parking Program Funding: Authored a budget amendment that will fund a program to secure an overnight space for people living in their vehicles or spaces. 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 a budget amendment for a study to learn 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.
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, and funded an additional $5 million in 2025. 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.
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: Supported this initiative which 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 $1.35 million 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.
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.