Net gain three, with nearly 4,000 families on MPHA’s waitlist
The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) marked a milestone in expanding affordable housing on Wednesday, October 29, breaking ground in South Minneapolis on a new triplex in the Windom neighborhood and a duplex in Regina. The projects are funded in part by MPHA’s tax levy, with the city’s housing levy contributing $1.25 million to both developments.
The Windom triplex will replace a long-vacant single-family home with three new units: two four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments and one two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit. One four-bedroom and the two-bedroom unit will be fully accessible.
The Regina duplex will include a four-bedroom, two-bathroom accessible unit and a two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit. Both buildings will be all-electric and energy-efficient, featuring rooftop solar arrays.
“This project demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing our region’s affordable housing crisis,” said MPHA Executive Director Abdi Warsame. “Coupling MPHA’s federal resources with local funding and the nation-leading 2040 Plan, MPHA continues to add the deeply affordable family housing our city needs. While five new homes won’t solve the city’s housing shortage, the real success is in the replicability of these projects.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the developments as a direct result of the city’s 2040 Plan, which enabled upzoning and new approaches to housing construction. “These aren’t just new buildings, they’re real homes for real families,” he said. “Every Minneapolis family should be able to find a place that’s safe, affordable, and feels like home.”
Councilmember Emily Koski emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusion. “Creating more accessible and affordable homes is essential to building a Minneapolis that works for everyone,” she said. “This new development expands opportunity for families in South Minneapolis and ensures neighborhoods remain inclusive and vibrant.”
The groundbreaking comes after MPHA reviewed its portfolio of nearly 800 scattered-site family homes, looking for opportunities to replace single-family homes with multifamily units. The Windom and Regina properties were identified as prime candidates, following the success of MPHA’s Family Housing Expansion Project (FHEP).
“This used to be just one family living here,” Warsame said during the ceremony. “Now, after this beautiful development, three families will be able to live here. Not far away in Regina, we’re increasing from one family to two.”
Mayor Frey mentioned the importance of “pushing back on segregation and expanding opportunity … We want to welcome people from diverse backgrounds into these neighborhoods,” he said.
MPHA continues to see high demand for family housing. Last year, the agency opened its family housing waitlist for the first time in three years, receiving more than 3,300 applications in just five days. With nearly 4,000 families on the waitlist, MPHA leaders stressed the need for additional family-sized units.
Construction on both projects is expected to take 11 months, with completion projected for the third quarter of 2026.
“Projects like this demonstrate Minneapolis’ commitment to addressing the affordable housing crisis,” said Elfric Porte, MPHA board chair. “Thanks to the city’s investment, innovative zoning changes, and the creativity of MPHA staff, we’re able to maximize the number of units while fitting the character of the neighborhoods.”
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