We need to continue to grow our housing sector in Ward 11, and across the City of Minneapolis, so that we can meet the needs of our growing population. We need to increase affordable housing opportunities, increase affordable homeownership opportunities, strengthen renters’ rights, and address the homelessness crisis.

We need to increase affordable housing opportunities in Ward 11 - because right now, there’s not enough. And, we need to increase affordable homeownership opportunities, because homeownership is a tool to build wealth. We need more lower-middle income, and low income affordable housing opportunities, and affordable homeownership opportunities in Ward 11. The City of Minneapolis has affordable housing programs, and we need to encourage the use of these affordable housing programs on all developments in Ward 11.

We need to approach the homelessness crisis with understanding, and we need to work together to find solutions. And, our solutions must include safe, stable housing for those affected by homelessness, and support to address the social determinants of public health that lead to homelessness.

And, we need to work with our local experts on the homelessness crisis in the City of Minneapolis, have open lines of communication, and bring all partners involved in addressing the homelessness crisis in the City of Minneapolis to the table.

While serving as Council Member for Ward 11…

  • We approved the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Phase 2 funding which included funding for:

    • The Housing Opportunity Fund

    • NOAH Preservation

    • Minneapolis Homes: Create & Provide Access to Homeownership

    • Homelessness Response Staffing

    • Rental Licensing Backlog Project

    • A Women's Shelter

    • Low-Income Home Repairs/Maintenance

    • A Low Barrier Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Pilot

  • We approved $15.8 million in direct investment and $1.5 million in 10-year federal tax credits to create or preserve 1,445 units of affordable multifamily rental housing in 12 projects located throughout the city.

  • We approved $1.2 million more in funding for Avivo Village, an innovative indoor community of tiny houses in the North Loop for people experiencing homelessness.

  • We approved the City of Minneapolis’s 2023 Budget which include funding for:

    • The Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

    • Additional investments in NOAH preservation and Minneapolis Homes programs.

    • Renters' Right to Counsel with ongoing General Fund support.

    • Additional investments in Minneapolis Public Housing, building on previous ARPA investments and ongoing commitments.

    • Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s installation of fire-suppression systems in MPHA buildings.

  • I have encouraged developers to build affordable housing in Ward 11, and supported them throughout the process.

  • I supported the redevelopment of Aqua City and Metro Inn into Single Room Occupancy housing. SRO housing provides basic, independent housing that is affordable and accessible to people experiencing homelessness and low-income households.

  • I encouraged a local developer who uses the 4D Program, to purchase the former Book Trader building, demolish the former Book Trader building, and develop additional housing on the site.

  • I encouraged a local senior housing provider to do a market research evaluation in South Minneapolis, in an effort to encourage them to expand into South Minneapolis.

    What’s next…

  • I support additional investments in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, NOAH, and Minneapolis Homes programs.

  • I will continue to encourage new development in Ward 11. And, I will continue to encourage the use of the City of Minneapolis’s affordable housing programs on all new developments in Ward 11.

  • I will push the City of Minneapolis to pursue the South Lyndale Corridor Master Plan, which is a vision and a strategy for future growth and potential redevelopment in Ward 11.

  • I will continue to connect with senior housing providers to encourage them to develop senior housing opportunities in Ward 11.

  • I will bring all partners involved in addressing the homelessness crisis in the City of Minneapolis to the table.

  • I will support additional research into our homelessness crisis, into the closure of encampments, and into how we can support our most vulnerable neighbors.