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Winter 2026 🧣
Greetings,
Minnesotans are living in agonizing times. We are once again on the national stage, and not for reasons we'd like, though the nation is taking note of the extraordinary character of the people of Minnesota.
We have witnessed how hateful words lead to hateful acts. There is a direct correlation between the rhetoric we've heard from national leaders in recent months and the actions of armed agents on our streets today.
Demonizing entire groups of people — whether for their immigration status or political party — is unacceptable and contrary to the values we hold dear as Minnesotans and Americans. We mourn the tragic deaths of Minneapolis residents Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. We applaud those who defend our constitutional rights, whether they do so with a cardboard sign or the seal of the Attorney General's office. They do so for all of us.
And now, we continue the critical work at hand: housing.
Jennifer Leimaile Ho
Commissioner, Minnesota Housing
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Lt. Gov. Flanagan, Commissioner Ho, former director of the Olmstead Implementation Office Aisha Elmquist and OIO staff member Rilyn Eischens at an OIO subcabinet meeting.
As we head into February, we inch closer to the start of the 2026 state legislative session. With questions surrounding federal funding and election preparations — including two members of the House running for Governor — it's sure to be an interesting and unpredictable session. One thing we do know: Housing remains a uniting issue and a need throughout the state.
Given all the dynamics of this session, we're cautiously optimistic about getting more resources for housing. The Governor's 2026 Infrastructure Plan includes $50 million for Housing Infrastructure Bonds and $10 million for Publicly Owned Housing (POHP), so that's a good start and securing those resources will be a top priority for the Agency. (Want to learn more about POHP? Watch our 2024 video about how we put the funds to good use.)
We've been meeting with a lot of stakeholders, community groups and partners throughout the fall and winter and we've heard about the needs for more emergency rental assistance and resources to stabilize affordable housing and permanent supportive housing, among other needs and priorities. Agency staff will be available to meet and to provide feedback on bills and policies as the session progresses.
The tower at Torre de San Miguel in West Saint Paul, one of 20 multifamily developments to receive funding.
We wrapped up 2025 by celebrating $166.4 million in funding selections to support creating and preserving 1,400 homes slated for construction or rehabilitation. Through this investment, more Minnesotans will become homeowners, and more families will be able to afford the communities where they choose to put down roots. That's a lot to celebrate!
Ready to share in the joy? Watch this recap of the December event as Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joined residents, developers, partners and Agency staff at Torre de San Miguel in Saint Paul for an event announcing the selections.
Nearly $42 million in loans will support 11 developments statewide through the Community Stabilization: Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Multifamily Rental Housing Program thanks to board action in late January.
We know housing solutions come from the people that live in and power the region. So we were thrilled when 150 people brought their experience and ideas to Waite Park in November for the Central and East Central Regional Housing Forum. Attendees' commitment to addressing the full spectrum of housing needs in the area made for a vibrant day of connections and discussion.
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Minnesota Housing's 2026-2027 Affordable Housing Plan identifies the Agency's key activities over the next two years. In other words — how we'll get it done. The plan is a return to more traditional funding levels than the Go Big funding the Agency received in the 2024-2025 biennium.
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In November, we celebrated a new community of 24 renovated homes at the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center in Minneapolis.
These properties recently opened their doors — or re-opened with renovations — for renters across Minnesota:
A site tour of Exodus Residence in Minneapolis.
New and improved rental units are on the way thanks to these newly launched projects:
New Developments
Improvements to Existing Properties
- Little Earth, Minneapolis, Lasalle Development Group, Ltd
- Birchwood of Grand Marais, Grand Marais, One Roof Community Housing
- New San Marco Apartments, Duluth, Center City Housing Corporation
- Crystal Lake Townhomes, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Property Development LLC
- Pickett Place, Austin, Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Austin
The Community Reviewer Program opens in March 2026.
- Applications for the Community Reviewer Program will open in March 2026. The program will compensate community members — especially those who have faced housing challenges — as consultants in grant programs. Attend the February 25 info session to learn more.
- Launching soon: In coordination with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe on the presidential declaration of a major disaster, Minnesota Housing plans to launch the Disaster Recovery Loan Program in spring 2026.
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Cassie Gordon, our federal rental assistance programs manager, was selected as Women's Affordable Housing Network's (WAHN) 2026 WAHNderful Woman of the Year. Cassie stood out from an impressive field of nominees for having a career spanning 30 years in affordable housing, including almost 25 years at Minnesota Housing.
"Her legacy is measured not only by the families who have remained stably housed through her work," shared WAHN in a LinkedIn post, "but by the community of confident, capable women leaders she has cultivated along the way."
We are so fortunate to work with Cassie.
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Yours,
Jennifer Leimaile Ho
Commissioner, Minnesota Housing
P.S. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, please sign up to receive future editions. Enter your email and select "General News from Minnesota Housing." Thanks!
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About Us
Minnesota Housing, the state's housing finance agency, works to provide access to safe, stable and accessible housing Minnesotans can afford in a community of their choice. In 2025, we distributed $1.8 billion in resources and served 73,000 households. Visit our website to learn more.
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