Housing First Minnesota has recognized 24 members of the Minnesota Legislature with the 2025 Housing Leadership Award, honoring their outstanding efforts to advance housing affordability and expand homeownership opportunities during the 2025 legislative session.
For the second year in a row, housing supply, land use, and zoning reform were front and center at the Minnesota State Capitol. In March, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Yes to Homes agenda—an ambitious effort to address the state’s worsening housing crisis by promoting the construction of more homes at all types and price points.
“Minnesota is currently more than 100,000 housing units short of what’s considered a healthy market,” said Mark Foster, Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs at Housing First Minnesota. “The legislation introduced and advanced this session aimed to close that gap by allowing for a greater diversity of housing options. Many of these lawmakers worked tirelessly throughout the session to support policy changes that will strengthen Minnesota’s housing market.”
While none of the Yes to Homes agenda was ultimately signed into law, Foster emphasized the importance of continued action.
“Though these specific measures fell short this year, the broad, diverse coalition behind them remains committed to meaningful reform,” said Foster. “We urge the legislature and Governor Walz to prioritize these urgently needed policy changes in 2026.”
Recipients of the 2025 Housing Leadership Award:
Minnesota House of Representatives
Rep. Jeff Dotseth (Kettle River)
Rep. Michael Howard (Richfield)
Rep. Spencer Igo (Wabana Township)
Rep. Katie Jones (Minneapolis)
Rep. Alicia Kozlowski (Duluth)
Rep. Larry Kraft (St. Louis Park)
Rep. Shane Mekeland (Clear Lake)
Rep. Jim Nash (Waconia)
Rep. Kari Rehrauer (Coon Rapids)
Rep. Roger Skraba (Ely)
Minnesota Senate
Sen. Liz Boldon (Rochester)
Sen. Doron Clark (Minneapolis)
Sen. Gene Dornink (Brownsdale)
Sen. Rich Draheim (Madison Lake)
Sen. Steve Drazkowski (Red Wing)
Sen. Omar Fateh (Minneapolis)
Sen. Mark Johnson (East Grand Forks)
Sen. Andrew Lang (Willmar)
Sen. Eric Lucero (St. Michael)
Sen. Jason Rarick (Cloquet)
Sen. Susan Pha (Brooklyn Park)
Sen. Lindsey Port (Burnsville)
Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (Fergus Falls)
Sen. Tou Xiong (Maplewood)
About Housing First Minnesota
Housing First Minnesota is the leading voice for Minnesota’s homebuilding industry. The organization represents homebuilders, remodelers, developers, and industry partners working to ensure all Minnesotans have access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity for homeownership.
