As we look back on 2021, we are filled with pride and gratitude for an outstanding year of successes for our industry!
As your builders association and the leading voice for housing in Minnesota, our responsibilities have never been greater. Our industry faces supply chain constraints, regulatory headwinds, and the worst inventory of available homes in the United States. Through all of this we have pressed forward strategically and successfully, driven by our legion of committee volunteers, board leadership, professional staff and countless contributions from our membership. Our collective actions have saved our members and their customers thousands of dollars on each new home or remodeling project!
Below you will find a collection of some of our successes this year protecting your business and enhancing your ability to serve the homeowners of Minnesota.
- Rolled Back Costly Window Fall Prevention Device
- Housing First Minnesota led the effort to roll back this unnecessary requirement, without any negative impact on safety. For a new single-family home, the core savings are nearly $1,000 and the ancillary savings in time and avoided call-backs are substantial.
- Halted the Expansion of Street and Park Impact Fees
- After strong pushback from Housing First Minnesota, the Minnesota legislature struck down legalization of infrastructure impact fees. This victory saved as much $10,000 per lot.
- Led the Defense of Safe and Affordable Remodeling – Lead Paint RRP Rule
- Housing First Minnesota continues to challenge the MN Dept of Health to improve its proposed changes to the Lead Paint RRP Rule. We’ve massively impacted the rule in 2021, saving hundreds to thousands of dollars in remodeling projects.
- Minnesota’s Green Path Program Hit New Milestone
- Our Minnesota’s Green Path program hit the milestone of providing more than 30,000 Home Performance Reports for newly built homes in 2021 – Minnesota builders continue to perform as the most energy efficient in the United States!
- Eliminated Dishwasher Air Gap from Plumbing Code
- Housing First Minnesota’s advocacy efforts removedthe dishwasher air gap requirement throughout the latest plumbing code– saving $250 for an unnecessary and unsightly requirement that consumers resoundingly disliked.
- Star Tribune Article Elevating the Issue of Zoning in Minnesota
- After two years of research, the Star Tribune published an in-depth investigative report that included Housing First Minnesota engagement and data. The article concluded that contemporary zoning practices in the Twin Cities are one of the major reasons our region has the nation’s widest housing equity gap. Thearticle spurred an even greater interest in the zoning debate at the legislature, setting the stage for future action in this area.
- Housing Affordability Act Introduced at the Legislature
- Following the release of the Star Tribune’s piece on exclusionary zoning practices in the Twin Cities, Rep. Steve Elkins (D-Bloomington) introduced the most comprehensive housing affordability bill in decades that directly addresses many of the critical affordability issues impacting our market.
- Advanced Zoning and Land Use Reform at the Legislature to Final Stage
- Throughout the 2021 legislative session, Housing First Minnesota sought to engage in meaningful conversation surrounding the zoning and land use practices in Minnesota.
- From planned unit development (PUD) reform to aesthetic mandate bans, the discussion around exclusionary zoning practices is gaining traction. The 2021 session marked the beginning of a critical discussion for housing in Minnesota.
- Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability
- The issue issue of housing affordability continues to elevate across the country and the Commission on Housing Affordability, established at the urging of Housing First Minnesota, has advanced the most substantive discussion on housing affordability to date.
- Construction Teachers Conference Success
- Working with Project Build Minnesota, of which Housing First Minnesota is a founding member, we held the first annual conference for construction faculty from both secondary and post-secondary programs across Minnesota. Building relationships with these teachers will give us a pipeline for their students to our industry.
- Initiated Legal Action on the Overcollection of Building Permit Fees
- After years of research on the overcollection of building permit fees by local municipalities, Housing First Minnesota initiated lawsuits against two metro cities to defend new homeowners from being overcharged. The legal case continues.
- Artisan Home Tour Success
- This year’s stellar Artisan Home Tour drew more than 50,000 combined visits across 30 homes. This niche event showcases the exceptional talent of Housing First Minnesota’s custom builders and remodelers and supports the work of our Housing First Minnesota Foundation.
- Completed Three Major Foundation Projects and Started Two More
- Our Housing First Minnesota Foundation partnered with three builders to complete renovation of six units in a 100-year-old Minneapolis building owned by Avivo serving women in recovery who can live with their children. Work has now begun on two Housing for Heroes projects in Minneapolis, providing transitional housing for homeless veterans.
- Brought Back In-Person Events
- Following a year during which organizations had to cancel the majority of their in-person events, it was great to once again be able to host activities in person. Between Happy Hours, Golf Opens, the Clay Shoot, our Foundation Gala, and the memorable BIG Night, we provided much-needed opportunities for the industry to catch up, network, and come together again.
- Following a year during which organizations had to cancel the majority of their in-person events, it was great to once again be able to host activities in person. Between Happy Hours, Golf Opens, the Clay Shoot, our Foundation Gala, and the memorable BIG Night, we provided much-needed opportunities for the industry to catch up, network, and come together again.
- Parade of Homes Entry Enhancements to Meet the Market
- This year we introduced enhancements to the Parade of Homes tour that allowed more flexibility in entry types. Our new Ready-to-Build Entry allows builders to submit homes that are ready to be built on an open lot, giving consumers a full look at inventory options available for future builds.
- By driving traffic to a sales center, builders are still able to connect with the consumer traffic driven by the Parade of Homes and build their pipeline of homebuyers.
- In response to industry supply chain challenges and market conditions, we adjusted the Parade Home pricing structure to allow for more flexibility. In place of the starting at or exact home price, we instead introduced a price range (lowest price – highest price) for each home entry.
- Strengthened Our New Member Outreach
- As your Building Industry Association, we can accomplish more by acting together than we can achieve alone. Growing membership so we can do more for you is a top priority. We’ve launched a comprehensive membership drive utilizing direct mail, digital campaigns, ads, incentives, and exposure opportunities. Alongside your referrals and continuation of the association health plan we’ve gained tremendous momentum.
- New members are being welcomed to the association with a robust onboarding campaign coupled with phone calls by members of the ambassador committee. Membership is positioned for an exciting 2022.
