Housing is not a luxury. It is the foundation on which everything else in a family's life is built. When housing is stable and affordable, children do better in school, families are healthier, and communities are stronger. When it is not, everything else falls apart.

In Minnesota, too many families are feeling the squeeze. Rents have climbed faster than wages. First-time homebuyers are being priced out of the market. And seniors on fixed incomes are watching their housing costs eat up more and more of their monthly budget.

This is a crisis — and it demands real solutions, not talking points.

Understanding the Problem

The housing affordability crisis in Minnesota did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of underinvestment in affordable housing, zoning policies that restrict new construction, and a rental market that has increasingly favored large corporate landlords over individual tenants.

The result: a growing gap between what housing costs and what working families can actually afford. According to housing advocates, a household needs to earn nearly $25 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities metro area. For many families in Minnesota, that number is out of reach.

My Plan for Affordable Housing

Protecting Renters

Renters in Minnesota deserve basic protections. That means:

• Reasonable notice requirements before rent increases, so families have time to plan
• Clear standards for habitability and landlord responsiveness to repairs
• Stronger protections against retaliatory evictions for tenants who exercise their legal rights
• Emergency rental assistance programs that can help families through temporary hardship without losing their homes

I will work to strengthen tenant protections at the state level while respecting the rights of responsible landlords who treat their tenants fairly.

Expanding Homeownership Opportunities

Homeownership is one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth — but it is increasingly out of reach for working families. I will advocate for:

• Down payment assistance programs targeted at first-time buyers in Minnesota
• Partnerships with community development financial institutions to expand access to affordable mortgages
• Incentives for employers to offer homeownership assistance as part of employee benefits
• Financial literacy programs that help families prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership

Supporting the Construction of Affordable Units

We cannot solve a housing shortage without building more housing. I will support policies that:

• Streamline permitting for affordable housing developments without sacrificing community input
• Provide tax incentives for developers who include affordable units in new construction
• Invest in community land trusts that keep housing permanently affordable by removing land from the speculative market
• Preserve existing affordable housing stock through targeted rehabilitation programs

Addressing Senior Housing Needs

Many seniors in Minnesota are living on fixed incomes and facing housing costs that are simply unsustainable. I will fight for:

• Expanded property tax relief programs for seniors
• More affordable senior housing options that allow residents to age in place
• Better coordination between housing and healthcare services for seniors with complex needs

A Note on Zoning

Zoning is not a glamorous topic, but it matters enormously for housing affordability. Many communities in the Twin Cities metro have zoning rules that effectively prohibit the construction of anything other than single-family homes — which drives up costs and limits options for families who need something different.

I believe in thoughtful, community-driven zoning reform that expands housing options while preserving neighborhood character. This is not about imposing a one-size-fits-all solution — it is about giving communities the tools to meet their own housing needs.

Working Together

No single policy will solve the housing affordability crisis. It will take a sustained, multi-pronged effort — at the state level, the local level, and in partnership with nonprofits, developers, and community organizations.

As your representative, I commit to making affordable housing a top priority in the Minnesota Legislature. I will work across the aisle, listen to all stakeholders, and push for solutions that actually work for the families of Minnesota.

Because everyone in our community deserves a safe, stable, affordable place to call home.