Housing Conference Committee Report Passes Legislature, Delivers Lifeline to Renters and Builds Thousands of Affordable Homes

St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House and Senate passed the Conference Committee Report on House File 1141, a $165 million Housing bill that will support thousands of struggling renters and create 2,200 new affordable housing opportunities throughout the state. 

“The escalating cost of housing is pricing Minnesotans out of the American Dream from border-to-border,” said Rep. Michael Howard (DFL–Richfield), the bill’s author and DFL Housing Co-Chair. “Our strong, bipartisan bill provides a lifeline to renters, builds new homes both to rent and to own, and recognizes the urgent need to step up to make housing more affordable for all Minnesotans.” 

“Minnesotans are facing record-high evictions and rising housing insecurity, and families need action now,” said Rep. Liish Kozlowski (DFL–Duluth), author of the $40 million FHPAP emergency rental assistance investment and DFL Housing Co-Vice Chair. “These bipartisan investments will help keep people in their homes, prevent homelessness, and send a clear message that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to live.”

The legislation invests $40 million in emergency rental assistance, providing support to the thousands of Minnesotans facing housing insecurity. The bill also utilizes $100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds for the creation of and preservation of affordable rental units, permanent supporter housing, and single-family homes all over the state. $14 million is allocated to the Workforce Housing Development program, prioritizing development in smaller communities to help meet the workforce needs of Greater Minnesota. $4 million is allocated to the Manufactured Housing Rehabilitation Program to build needed infrastructure to keep manufactured housing affordable and stable. It also includes an additional $4 million to help permanent supportive housing providers weather deep cuts being proposed by the Trump administration. 

Policy provisions in the bill include new transparency procedures for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, requiring reports to the legislature and additional oversight of allocated funds.

The legislation passed the House on a vote of 105-28, and the Senate on a vote of 42-25. Having passed both chambers, the bill now heads to Governor Walz. Video of the floor debate in the Minnesota House can be found on the House Public Information YouTube Channel. 

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