Newly released data in Minnesota underscores what housing assistance groups have been preaching—it’s become increasingly difficult for many people to keep a roof over their heads.
Minnesota Housing Partnership is out with its latest edition of the State of the State’s Housing report.
It says statewide, median rent increased by 8% in just one year—the largest year-to-year increase in the past decade.
The group’s Executive Director, Anne Mavity, pointed out that 50% of renters pay more for housing than they can afford. That means that in some cases, other basic necessities fall by the wayside.
“And trying to maintain that housing,” said Mavity, “means that families are making really hard choices.”
Regionally, according to the report, Central Minnesota has the highest cost-burden rate for homeowners.
The Twin Cities has the largest shortage of affordable and available rental units for extremely low-income individuals.
The Northwest region has the lowest homeownership rate for Black and Hispanic residents.
Mavity said it will take some time for the $2 billion in housing aid approved by state lawmakers last year to help turn things around. She added that more solutions are needed.
Many areas have seen declines in permits for new housing. Mavity noted that market conditions, namely building costs, are pretty tough right now.
She emphasized the need for land-use reforms to foster creativity. “If someone has a house, if they want to create a basement apartment for their parents to age in, if they want to have an apartment over their garage to get some income,” said Mavity, “there are 23 states across the country that have done that. We can do better on that.”
Proposed changes to zoning failed to advance in this year’s legislative session amidst heavy opposition from municipal leaders.
That was despite backing from a broad coalition of affordable housing advocates, real estate leaders, and home builders. Supporters say they’ll try again next session.
Mike Moen writes for the Minnesota News Connection.