On the Issues

Affordable Housing for All

Minneapolis is an affordable housing success story–and a model for the nation. We have lower rents and home prices than other big and fast-growing cities, and we’ve led the nation in pro-housing zoning reforms by becoming the first large city to eliminate restrictive single-family zoning citywide. But more work needs to be done to bring down housing prices across the Twin Cities and provide safe, quality, and affordable housing that meets the needs of every kind of family and reflects the diversity of our communities.

I will take Minneapolis’ pro-housing vision to Washington and will work to enact policies to bring down housing costs, increase support for low-income renters, and encourage developers to build more quality, affordable housing rather than chasing them away with rent control and red tape. Specifically, I will support legislation to:

  • Incentivize cities to enact pro-housing zoning reforms and eliminate restrictive zoning policies like single-family zoning, which enforce one-size-fits-all housing across entire neighborhoods.
  • Increase funding for federal programs, like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, that provide tax breaks to developers who commit to making a percentage of their units affordable for low-income renters.
  • Reform federal housing programs to make it easier for small and first-time developers and landlords to take advantage of federal grants, loans and tax incentives. This is crucial for expanding “missing-middle housing”–like townhomes, row houses and duplexes–that will provide an alternative to big apartment buildings managed by corporate landlords.
  • Create a federal Renter’s Tax Credit to provide tax relief for low- and middle-income renters who spend over 30% of their income on rent.
    • Homeowners can save thousands of dollars a year through the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction, and renters should get tax benefits as well.
  • Expand the federal government’s role in tackling homelessness by providing the funding necessary to expand shelter beds and support services.

Building vibrant, walkable communities through local entrepreneurship

  • Create a pilot program to encourage cities to loosen zoning restrictions to allow small businesses that support community needs to open in more neighborhoods. Cities would get federal grants to allow community-focused corner stores in residential neighborhoods, or to create more ‘neighborhood nodes’ where small businesses can cluster within walking distance of residential areas.
  • This policy would create opportunities for entrepreneurs, foster local alternatives to car-oriented big box stores and national chains, while filling important needs and providing community gathering spaces.
Up Next
An Economy that Works for Everyone
[email protected]
PO Box 50024 Minneapolis, MN 55405

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