Minnesota Senate Votes No to Homes
At Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, we believe that expanding the types of homes that can be built opens doors for more families to achieve homeownership and helps us serve Minnesotans in every phase of life. That belief inspired us to be a part of Yes to Homes, a large and diverse coalition united by the common goal of creating statewide housing policy that focuses on meaningfully expanding development to increase the variety and supply of housing options.
In March, a bipartisan coalition of legislators introduced a series of bills to increase housing density and make it easier to build more homes in Minnesota. We were disappointed to see the bills voted down this week in the state Senate.
Learn more in the press release from the Yes to Homes coalition co-authored by coalition co-chairs Anne Mavity, Executive Director, Minnesota Housing Partnership, and Cristen Incitti, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota.
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 1, 2025
Contacts: Yes To Homes Co-Chairs
Anne Mavity, Executive Director, Minnesota Housing Partnership, anne.mavity@mhponline.org 952-913-1108
Cristen Incitti, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Cristen.Incitti@habitatminnesota.org 414-736-7699
Press Statement
Yes to Homes Coalition
Minnesotans Pay the Price for Inaction on Housing
A bipartisan coalition of legislators, housing experts, and advocates came together across ideology and party lines to say, yes, we need more homes in Minnesota, and now is the time for action.
“On housing policy, the aspiration ought to be that Minnesotans choose what communities they live in, not let communities pick which Minnesotans get to live there.” – Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-09)
Yet, the no vote on SF 2229 in the Senate this week means that Minnesotans struggling to pay their rent and afford a home will have to wait another year before the Legislature responds to what 80% of Minnesotans are asking for—a home they can afford. The Yes to Homes Coalition is deeply disappointed by the Legislature’s failure to take action in 2025 to address the cost of homes in Minnesota.
We are deeply concerned and disappointed that the status quo remains. Rising housing costs demand bold action. The Yes to Homes Coalition worked in partnership with cities for over a year on this effort to negotiate in good faith a new path forward that helps build more housing that Minnesotans can afford. We introduced a package of bills that incorporated input and feedback from these conversations. We have yet to see any proposals from these opponents that change the status quo.
“We are open to feedback to make these concepts work, what we are not open to – and have gotten to that point with this bill, we are down to the very skin and bones of these policies – is just an answer of No.” – Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL, 55)
Our families and communities across Minnesota will continue to suffer the negative consequences of the housing shortage due to this failure of action by the Legislature. Minnesota voted for bipartisan cooperation in addressing the State’s core needs. This effort has been extraordinary in creating unexpected partners and collaboration to advance more housing. This is what Minnesota is demanding and needs to thrive. Status quo is not producing the homes we all agree that we need.
Yes To Homes is an effort to address Minnesota’s housing shortage, affordability, and equity challenges.
________________________________________________________________________