2026 Legislative Session Is Underway - And We’re Starting with Home

The 2026 legislative session kicked off on February 11, and at Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, we are already hard at work at the Minnesota State Capitol advocating for policies that help all Minnesotans.

Minnesota Showed Up to “Start with Home”

Last month, Habitat Minnesota co-hosted our fourth annual Start with Home rally, intentionally timed with the start of session to remind lawmakers: if we want a strong Minnesota, we must start with home.

Hundreds of advocates, homeowners, and housing champions filled the Capitol to call for bold action on housing. We were honored to hear from Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Majority Leader, Sen. Erin Murphy, and Housing Chairs, Sen. Lindsey Port, Rep. Spencer Igo, and Rep. Michael Howard, who highlighted the importance of “starting with home”.

We also heard from Habitat Homebuyer Lisa, who is partnering with Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota.

Lisa shared how her parents spent their lives serving the community. Her dad as a veteran, police officer, and bus driver, and her mother as a foster parent. After her father became disabled from a workplace injury, their family lost their home to foreclosure.

“Watching my own Habitat home rise feels like reclaiming that dream for them and rebuilding the generational wealth we almost lost,” Lisa shared.

Thank you to everyone who attended and all the legislative housing champions who spoke! The work continues, and together, we’ll keep pushing for solutions that make home possible for all!

Our 2026 Legislative Priorities

As the 2026 session gains momentum, one thing is clear: this is a pivotal year for housing in Minnesota. Lawmakers will make decisions in the coming weeks and months that directly shape who can buy a home, who can stay in their home, and whether our communities grow stronger or more divided.

At Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, our advocacy is grounded in what we hear every day from homeowners, families, and local Habitat affiliates across the state. We see the barriers that Minnesotans face. We see the impact of rising construction and insurance costs. And we see the life-changing stability that homeownership makes possible when the right policies are in place.

That’s why our 2026 legislative agenda focuses on practical solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and protect long-term stability. We’ve organized our priorities into three key areas that reflect where Minnesota must act now to ensure homeownership is within reach for more families.

🏘️ Increasing the Affordable Homeownership Supply

Affordable starter homes are essential to a strong middle class, thriving communities, and workforce stability. Minnesota faces a significant housing shortage after years of underbuilding and rising construction costs. Habitat Minnesota supports:

Renewing the Statewide Housing Tax Credit. We need creative solutions to fund housing production. The State Housing Tax Credit is responsive and allows Minnesotans to invest directly in projects in their communities. We’re asking lawmakers to commit to the credit and prioritize geographical balance so this effective tool can continue to build more homes!

Strengthening and investing in the Greater MN Housing Infrastructure Grant program. The infrastructure necessary to support new developments is costly and often is a barrier to building housing. This will support new housing in Greater Minnesota, covering up to 50% of the capital costs of the public infrastructure necessary to support housing development projects.

Our Future Starts at Home campaign. Advancing a constitutional amendment to create dedicated housing revenue.

🔑 Ensuring Equitable Homeownership Access

Everyone deserves the opportunity to purchase a home, build stability, and secure their family’s future. Yet access to affordable homeownership remains limited for households of color, families in rural areas, and communities experiencing persistent poverty. Habitat Minnesota supports:

Reduce barriers to building more homes. Minnesota needs more homes of every type in every corner of the state. Habitat Minnesota is part of the Yes to Homes MN coalition seeking to increase the variety and supply of housing options: Sign the petition

Expand pathways for first-generation and underserved homebuyers. Support targeted investments, down payment assistance, and financing tools that help close homeownership gaps and remove barriers to buying a home.

🔒 Improving Long-Term Homeownership Security

Expanding access is only part of the solution, we must also ensure homeowners can stay in their homes and pass stability to future generations. Supporting home retention promotes family stability, protects children’s educational continuity, and strengthens communities. Habitat Minnesota supports policies that:

Protect homeowners through improved Homeowner Association regulations. Establish clear standards for homeowner associations to improve transparency, accountability, and fairness.

Invest in the Strengthen Minnesota Homes program. This will provide financial assistance to homeowners in Minnesota to upgrade their roofs to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ standard, making homes more resilient against extreme weather like hail and high winds. These improvements can reduce storm damage by up to 60% and lower homeowners’ insurance premiums after completion.

Habitat’s work centers on the value of long-term stability for the current homeowner, future homeowners, and our environment. This means building homes that are energy efficient, climate resilient, and often go above the code requirements. Learn more about why we commonly build above code!

Get Involved This Session

Habitat on the Hill – April 16

Join us for Habitat on the Hill MN and meet directly with your lawmakers to share why homeownership matters. Your voice makes a difference.

Registration is now open – we hope to see you there!

📢 Take Action