Housing Solutions Alliance Commits to 2007

On May 31, approximately 100 people from across Minnesota gathered in St. Paul to reflect on what the Housing Solutions Alliance (HSA) accomplished in 2006 and to strategize and identify what the Alliance must do during the last half of 2006 to secure passage of a dedicated funding stream for affordable housing in 2007.

Called the Housing Solutions Act, its passage would triple the state’s affordable housing budget.

Mary Brooks, Housing Trust Fund Director at the Center for Community Change, played a key role in helping attendees identify strategies and tactics that the Alliance will undertake during the last half of 2006.

First, the Alliance recognized that it must grow its base of supporters. The Alliance will spend the rest of 2006 growing its base of supporters from 100 to over 1,000. The Alliance will reach out to a broad array of organizations, including: realtors, communities of faith, HRAs/PHAs, direct service providers, people experiencing homelessness, low-income advocates, developers, low-income renters, and local governmental entities.

Second, the Alliance recognized that it must have statewide support for its approach. As such, it has adopted a strategy to ensure that greater Minnesota organizations play a prominent role in the Alliance as it grows its base of support.

Third, the Alliance recognized that it must inform various stakeholders about the benefits of the Housing Solutions Act and how its passage will help low-income Minnesotans. As such, the Alliance will develop a series of facts sheet and educational materials for use as the campaign moves forward.

In addition to focusing on what it must do to succeed in 2007, members of the Alliance took time to celebrate its progress during the 2006 legislative session by honoring those legislators who helped advance the act.

Rachel Callanan, state policy director at the Coalition, reminded us that the Alliance surpassed its legislative goals for the 2006 Session.

At the their May 31st Celebration, the Alliance recognized Representatives Morrie Lanning, Bob Gunther, Tony Sertich, and Jim Davnie and Senators Dick Cohen, Scott Dibble, Larry Pogemiller, and John Marty for their dedication and steadfast support of affordable housing and efforts to advance the Housing Solutions Act during a contentious election-year.

To learn more about the Alliance, the Housing Solutions Act, and how to get involved, please visit Housing Solutions Alliance.