Housing & Transportation
What to know about Minnesota’s new down payment assistance programs
New state programs launched this week will help more Minnesotans buy homes, cementing Minnesota as one of the states with the most down payment assistance for prospective homebuyers. Applications opened up Monday for a pair of programs for first-generation homebuyers. Together, the programs are offering $150 million in forgivable loans to first-time homebuyers who earn […]
U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property […]
Feds join push for zoning reform
An ambitious plan to change Minnesota zoning rules to allow more housing construction statewide failed last legislative session despite a broad, bipartisan coalition of support. That coalition now has a new member: the federal government. A top U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development official visited St. Paul on Thursday to highlight a $4 million […]
Treasury Secretary promotes Biden housing, economic development policies in Minnesota visit
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen touted investments in affordable housing and community development on a visit to Minnesota this week, promoting the policies of President Joe Biden as he campaigns for reelection. Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve and the nation’s first woman secretary of the Treasury, visited the Neighborhood Development Center in […]
State postpones e-bike rebate application due to technical difficulties
The Minnesota Department of Revenue opened up the online application for Minnesota’s new e-bike rebate Wednesday morning, but technical issues stalled applications and forced the agency to take the webpage offline and postpone its reopening. The e-bike rebate will cover up to $1,500 or 75% of the cost of an eligible bike, depending on the […]
Legislature passes law protecting Minneapolis 2040 Plan
The Minneapolis 2040 Plan, which sought to end single-family zoning citywide and improve housing affordability, could move forward without the threat of continued environmental lawsuits. A couple paragraphs tucked into a 1400-page bill passed in the waning hours of the 2024 legislative session exempts comprehensive plans — which are guiding documents for cities’ zoning and […]
Bill to ban discrimination against Section 8 recipients dead in Legislature
A bill that would have prevented landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive public assistance, including federal Section 8 housing vouchers, will not pass the Legislature this session. The legislation was removed from two housing bills in committee meetings this week. Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, said in a committee meeting Tuesday that Sen. Ron Latz, […]
Minneapolis 2040 plan can once again go forward, appeals court rules
The city of Minneapolis can once again proceed with its 2040 housing plan after the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed an injunction against the plan issued last year by a lower court. The Court of Appeals ruled that the lower court erred in granting the injunction and abused its discretion by imposing unnecessary hardship on […]
Feds require airlines to automatically refund passengers for canceled or delayed flights
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday new rules that will put refunds quickly back into air travelers’ pockets for canceled or delayed flights. The agency estimated that the new regulations will save consumers over a half billion dollars every year in airline fees. Under the new rules, which will go into effect beginning […]
Despite broad coalition of support, housing bills falling off legislative agenda
In front of a crowd of Habitat for Humanity staff and supporters gathered in the Capitol rotunda Thursday, Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, urged the audience members to speak with as many lawmakers as possible. “Tell them: don’t leave this building until you make more homes available for more Minnesotans,” said Howard, who chairs the House […]
Church, Habitat for Humanity fighting city of Minnetonka for new development
Ever since David Landt took over as lead pastor of Mills Church in Minnetonka nearly 20 years ago, congregation and community members have reached out to him as a last resort when they couldn’t pay their rent or mortgage. He’s also seen the next generation of his congregation be priced out of the community they […]
Proposed sales tax for housing funding dead in the Legislature
Some housing affordability advocates this year pushed for a constitutional amendment for housing, which would raise the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1% — about 38 cents for every $100 spent — to fund housing and homelessness initiatives. Four DFL senators and 26 DFL representatives co-authored the bill, including the chairs of the two […]