MICAH

Homes for All Legislative Agenda for 2013

MICAH is one of over 40 housing and homeless organizations which are working toward housing solutions for Minnesota. Working together, we can make a difference for Minnesotans who need safe and affordable housing.  The goals for this legislative session developed by Homes for All are described below. Please use the information below when you contact your legislators and ask for their support. For additional information see the Homes for ALL website at: http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org/campaigns/homes-for-all/

1. Invest an additional $25 million in Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Programs
   Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs provide assistance to help people with rental housing and home ownership through a variety of proven programs.
    
2. Invest an additional $25 million in Department of Human Services Programs
   Department of Human Services Programs provide emergency services, long-term homelessness supportive services and transitional housing. This year there is special emphasis on housing and services to homeless youth.
    
3. Invest $50 million in Bonds for Housing
   These bonds would help preserve public housing and help rehab or construct privately owned affordable housing and federally subsidized rental housing.

These appropriations are strategic investments in Minnesota with the following benefits:

• Creation of Jobs
  For every 100 family apartments constructed in a typical low-income housing tax credit development, an estimated 122 construction related jobs are created, followed by 30 permanent jobs. (National Association of Home Builders, March 2010)
   
• Better School Performance
  Children with stable housing—even living in poverty—do better in school than children without stable housing. Students who are homeless or highly mobile have chronically worse reading and math scores than children with stable housing. (Masten, 2012, U of MN)
   
• Provide Return on Investments (ROI)
  State investments in affordable housing leverage resources from private, foundation, federal, and local sources. Foreclosure counseling in Minnesota costs $400 per family, while each foreclosure costs communities, municipalities, and lenders $52,000. (Gabriel & Todd, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, 2010; MN Home Ownership Center 2010 Annual Report)
  
  In 2010, supportive housing, which helps homeless people maintain housing, generated at least $123 million for Minnesota tax-payers, returning $1.44 for every public dollar invested. (Chase, Da’ar, & Diaz, 2012, Wilder Research)
   
• Contribute to Government Redesign
  Public services should be designed to promote health, community integration, long-term stability, and self-sufficiency, instead of short-term crisis services. Investments in housing and services diverts vulnerable people from costly public crisis services such as treatment, emergency room care, and jail.

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Who is Nellie Stone Johnson?

Nellie Stone Johnson was a Minnesota pioneer in civil rights and the labor movement. She was the first black woman in Minneapolis elected to a citywide office (in 1945) and the first woman in the country to serve on a labor negotiating committee. Representative Joe Mullery of Minneapolis has introduced House File 45 to honor Nellie Stone Johnson by placing a bust of her in the State Capitol. If approved, this would give Nellie Stone Johnson another first – the first woman of color honored by a plaque, statue or bust at the Capitol. Read about Nellie Stone Johnson at:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sessiondaily.asp?storyid=3305, then ask your representative to support HF45 to honor her.

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MICAH’s Recommendation for Housing Policies to Benefit the Central Corridor Community

MICAH members have been leading efforts to include strong affordable housing policies along the Central Corridor. Here is our policy statement. We ask that you share it with your community.

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MICAH's 2013 Priorities

• Building support for new affordable housing opportunities in the metropolitan area.
• Increasing funding to state programs that strengthen families and communities.
• Creating affordable housing opportunities along the 8 transit corridors in the region.
• Creating a strong regional housing plan.

Please let us know if you would like to be part of a specific issue or would like a presentation for your congregation or organization.  Contact debby@micah.org.

Heading Home Dakota is celebrating its first year!

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners, Community Development Agency Board and the Affordable Housing Coalition adopted the Heading Home Dakota Plan to End Homelessness in April 2012. Much work has been done in the last year and we would like to share our progress with you.

Heading Home Dakota First Year Report Card Event
Thursday, May 16 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Mary, Mother of the Church – Parish Center
3333 Cliff Road, Burnsville (park in lower lot)

The Facts on Twin Cities Housing

• The vacancy rate for any apartment in the Twin Cities is 2.4%  making the search for affordable housing even harder for those with low incomes.
• 54% of renters in the metro area that pay more than 30%  of their income on housing. 
• Only 22% of low income households in Minneapolis has affordable housing. 
• 5500 children in Minneapolis Public Schools are homeless.
• Sheltering a family for a month costs $2700.
• $650 is  usually the one time cost to prevent a family from becoming homeless in Minneapolis.
• 40% of delinquent mortgages are prime fixed rate products not subprime mortgages.

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