Bipartisan support for housing solutions discussed during Housing Day at the Capitol

Members of the homebuilding and real estate industry once again joined together for Housing Day at the Capitol this March, an annual event that communicated to our state legislators the need to reduce the regulatory barriers to market-rate affordable housing and grow homeownership. Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Realtors® once again hosted the event which featured an in-person legislative panel and the opportunity to join virtually.

With physical access still limited at the Capitol, members instead went to the Intercontinental Hotel in St. Paul to hear from legislative leaders from all four caucuses including Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis), Sen. Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake), Rep. Steve Elkins (DFL-Bloomington) and Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia). Blois Olson of Fluence Media moderated the panel discussion.

There was bipartisan support that the housing supply issue is the top priority in addressing Minnesota’s housing needs. “Our country was built on property rights. We need to get government out of the way and allow builders to build,” stated Draheim, chair of the Senate Housing Committee.

“We need housing across the spectrum, and we need housing across the spectrum everywhere,” Dziedzic added.

Additionally, Nash and Elkins both agreed that municipal governments receive their authorities from the state government and that it was time for Minnesota’s legislature to address zoning laws.

Along with the legislative panel and overview of issues, attendees and members were encouraged to contact their legislators by email or phone to share support for housing initiatives that address affordability and availability of homes. Following the event, Minnesota Realtors and Housing First Minnesota leadership and advocacy teams met in the Capitol with all four caucus leaders to share concerns and insight from the housing industry