Minnesota Housing Organizations Celebrate Bipartisan Legislation Advancing to Senate Floor

Strategic Insights -

Minnesota housing organizations are applauding bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) that has advanced to the Senate floor. Smith's bills, included in the comprehensive national housing reform legislative package, titled the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, aim to cut red tape, boost housing supply, lower costs, and improve homelessness solutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Tina Smith, passed the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously (24-0).
  • The legislation includes the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, which would update the Rural Housing Service and its programs for the first time in decades to preserve affordable homes in small towns and rural communities.
  • The Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act would cut red tape and support local solutions for addressing homelessness.
  • The bill addresses the housing shortage, particularly in rural communities, by expanding access to rural homeownership, preserving affordable rural rental housing, and strengthening support for manufactured housing.
  • Several housing organizations in Minnesota have expressed support for the legislation, citing its potential to increase affordable housing options, reduce red tape, and improve support for manufactured housing.
  • Key provisions of the Act include:

+ Revitalizing Empty Structures into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act to allow communities to access funds to convert abandoned buildings into senior housing.

+ HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act to update program administration requirements, enabling affordable housing developers to build more affordable housing.

+ Provisions to address homelessness, homeownership, and rural housing needs.

Statistics:

  • The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 aims to boost the supply of housing, lower costs, and improve homelessness solutions.
  • 24 senators voted in favor of the bill in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
  • The bill addresses homelessness, which affects a significant number of individuals and families in Minnesota.
  • The Rural Housing Service Reform Act aims to preserve affordable homes in small towns and rural communities.
  • Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Minnesota, with many communities facing rising costs, limited supply, and aging infrastructure.

Sources:

  • "Minnesota Senator Tina Smith's Legislation Advances to Senate Floor" (Minnesota Office of Senator Tina Smith)
  • Statement by Anne Mavity, Executive Director of the Minnesota Housing Partnership
  • Statement by Barbara Johnson, Coordinator at Northwest Continuum of Care
  • Statement by Andrea Brennan, CEO and President of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
  • Statement by Jill A. Keppers, MPH, President, MN NAHRO and Executive Director, Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth, Minnesota
  • Statement by Carla Solem, West Central Minnesota Continuum of Care
  • Statement by Deanna Hemmesch, Executive Director of the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership