Last Monday, the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee heard the Minnesota Starter Homes Act from Rep. Igo (R), accompanied by co-author Rep. Kraft (DFL). This bipartisan bill would expand homeownership opportunities and streamline new development approvals in addition to prohibiting local governments form imposing costly aesthetic mandates or HOAs as a condition of project approval.
Nick Erickson, senior director of housing policy for Housing First Minnesota, testified in support of the bill.
“Planners, municipal lobbyists, reform advocates, policy experts and the homebuilding community have all been at the table working to ensure this bill is effective and implementable. What’s in front of you today is the opportunity to act, to expand homeownership, and to ensure the next generation of Minnesotans has a shot at the American dream,” Erickson said.
The bill was laid over after Republican committee members and one DFL member voted against moving it to the House floor.
Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth said last Wednesday that zoning reform is still on the Legislature’s agenda this session. “I would stay tuned on that one because I think that still has some pathway,” she told the Star Tribune.
Housing First Minnesota and the Yes to Homes Coalition will continue to fight for zoning and land use reform at the Capitol, ensuring all Minnesotans have a place to start.
Natural Gas, HOAs, and No Permit Fees for Veterans with Disabilities
Last Tuesday, the House Housing Committee heard HF 484 from Rep. Mekeland (R), a bill that would prohibit a ban on natural gas hookups in residential construction. The bill ultimately did not pass out of committee and was laid over.
The committee heard another bill from Rep. Mekeland (HF 2614) that would prohibit local governments from requiring or incentivizing the creation of homeowners associations (HOAs); this bill previously cleared the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee by a vote of 11-1.
Mark Foster, vice president of legislative & political affairs for Housing First Minnesota, testified in support of the bill. His testimony noted that HOAs are needed and appropriate for certain housing types—villa products for low maintenance living, communities with shared amenities, and townhomes with shared walls and roofs.
Foster added, “Outside of these housing types, many homebuyers are not seeking to live in an HOA, and our members would prefer not to create them…Ongoing HOA dues increase monthly housing expenses and reduce purchasing power, limiting how many Minnesotans can achieve homeownership.”
The bill passed and was sent to the House floor.
On Wednesday last week, the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division heard HF 4171 from Rep. Rehrauer (DFL). This bill prohibits local governments from imposing certain fees for residential improvements that accommodate the disability of a veteran. Mark Foster testified in support of the bill, highlighting Veteran Village and other work done by the Housing First Minnesota Foundation.
“We call on local governments to support disabled veterans by absorbing these minimal costs and eliminating permitting barriers to essential home modifications,” Foster said.
The bill was sent to the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee.
Housing First Minnesota Continuing Advocacy
The Legislature is on Easter-Passover break until <DATE>. Housing First Minnesota will remain actively engaged at the Capitol as these proposals move through the legislative process. Expanding housing supply and improving affordability will require policymakers to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers and support policies that allow builders to deliver more homes at attainable price points.
Members with questions about Housing First Minnesota’s legislative priorities should contact Mark Foster, Mark@HousingFirstMN.org.
