Governor Mark Dayton is setting up a special task force that will have recommendations by next summer on making affordable housing more available in Minnesota. Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Mary Tingerthal says, “If we believe in people and give them a solid place to live, they can deal with the other issues in their lives, whether it’s educating their kids, educating themselves, holding a job, or just succeeding in life.” Tingerthal cautions the state “cannot build our way out of the current crisis.” She points to apartments being converted into upscale properties, reducing the stock of affordable housing.
Jeanne Crain with Bremer Financial, co-chair of the panel, says a partnership with Habitat for Humanity made logical sense for her firm. Crain says, “We have money to lend. We have an interest in meeting the needs of customers of all income sources. And working with Habitat allowed us to make sure that, when we lend into a low/moderate income arena, we have a successful homeowner.”