Today marks the beginning of the 2019 legislative session and much like every year, we expect it to be a busy one. After a number of check-ins and a collaborative policy planning meeting with members, MCCD’s board approved our 2019 Policy Agenda which focuses on three main priorities:
- Supporting favorable policies and increase funding resources for affordable housing and community development activities at the local, state, and federal levels
- Advocating for initiatives that promote asset building for low-income Minnesotans
- Supporting or opposing other legislation or initiatives as approved by the board.
Additionally, MCCD will continue to work in partnership with our key partners through statewide coalitions, the Minnesota Asset Building Coalition and the Homes for All Coalition. On the economic development front, MCCD will be leading efforts to increase funding for the Business Development Grant Program to support technical assistance work for entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state. This program has received significant bipartisan support in the past and we have already secured a chief author in the Senate, Senator Rich Draheim.
MCCD will also be working extensively on the Homes for All agenda which encompasses policy changes and budgetary items that impact the full continuum of affordable housing. This includes things such as, longer minimum affordability terms for multifamily projects funded through Minnesota Housing, to increasing funding for flexible funding programs such as the Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program, and funding the Workforce Homeownership Minnesota program.
Keep a close eye on the Rundown for updates and action alerts and email Senior Policy Advisor, Kari Johnson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with any questions.
