Volume 3, Issue 13 6-30-4

Wed Jun 30 13:59:48 CDT 2004

HousingMinnesota

Homes for All by 2012!

 The Bulletin
June 30, 2004
Volume 3, Issue 13

Distributed bi-weekly, this bulletin contains news, announcements,
legislative updates, publications, and upcoming events. We hope you'll
find it helpful in keeping you abreast of important developments. Please
don't hesitate to contact us with items you'd like included in future
issues.  The Bulletin is also available online at
http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm
<http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm> .        

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News/Announcements

Minnesota is Making Its Mark Nationally  Recently Minnesota has been
featured on the national housing scene as our policymakers have put
Minnesota in the spotlight, the national press picked up on Minnesota's
homelessness challenges, and a program to assist low-income renters was
spotlighted on the HUD website.

*	Many of our state and federal policymakers have weighed in
against the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher cuts that are taking place,
including, Governor Pawlenty, MHFA Commissioner Tim Marx, Sen. Coleman,
Sen. Dayton, and Representatives Ramstad, Sabo, Peterson, and McCollum.
Please contact these policymakers and thank them for their leadership on
preserving this critical housing resource! 
*	Minnesota's own Wilder Research Center and some of our state's
homelessness challenges were featured in a June 29th New York Times
article titled, "Surge in Homeless Families Sets Off Debate."  The
article poses some hard questions, but interviewees provide few answers
on how to effectively address homelessness in Minnesota and across the
nation. (The article may be read at www.nytimes.com
<http://www.nytimes.com/> .)   
*	HUD's web resource called the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse
features Minnesota's Renter's Credit and tax relief for renters offered
by two other states in their latest "Breakthroughs" newsletter.   See
the HUD web site for the full article at
http://www.huduser.org/rbc/newsletter/vol3iss3more.html#2
<http://www.huduser.org/rbc/newsletter/vol3iss3more.html#2> . 

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency narrows focus to five strategic housing
goals for 2004 through 2007  MHFA has adopted five strategic goals and
has begun to take steps to accomplish them.  The goals include:

1.	End long-term homelessness in Minnesota by 2010 
2.	Increase the homeownership rate for underserved ethnic groups 
3.	Preserve strategically the existing affordable housing stock 
4.	Increase housing choices for low and moderate-income workers 
5.	Establish the MHFA as a housing partner of choice 

The plan to end long-term homelessness was launched in early 2004.  On
June 28th, Governor Pawlenty launched a statewide initiative to increase
the homeownership rates of Minnesota's emerging markets, or
traditionally underserved populations.  To achieve the goal, MHFA calls
upon the help of 50 partners, including financial institutions, trade
organizations, real estate and housing industry professionals,
organizations representing racial, ethnic and faith-based groups and
local governments.  A committee and working groups will be formed with
these stakeholders to work towards outlining strategies and tactics to
bridge this homeownership gap.  The plan should be released in early
2005.  For more information on MHFA's strategic plan and goals visit
their web site at: http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/about/about_agency.htm
<http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/about/about_agency.htm> 

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Reading/Resources 

HousingNews  Want to keep up on the latest news and developments on
housing issues?  HousingLink's weekly email newsletter provides links to
the latest news coverage on affordable housing issues.  It's easy to
subscribe: Visit the HousingNews Subscription Information
<http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/housinglink-housingnews>  page
or email info at housinglink.org
<mailto:info at housinglink.org?Subject=HousingNews> . 

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Upcoming Events  

Various Dates
Get to Know Us Tours 2004:  More Than Housing  July 13, August 10,
September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14, 4:00-5:00pm,
Jackson Street Village, 1497 Jackson Street North, St. Paul.  Discover
what Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is doing to provide supportive Housing
for families, single adults and the elderly.  For more information about
the tours or to register, call Marni Harper at 651-642-2099 or email her
at mkh at wilder.org <mailto:mkh at wilder.org> .  Space is limited.

July 28-30
Show Me the Money!  The Third Annual Financial Management Professionals'
Conference
Through interactive workshops, plenary and peer to peer sessions,
participants share best practices, industry information and explore how
today's managers can best build and maintain financially sound community
development organizations.  Click here to download a brochure and
registration materials.
<http://www.mhponline.org/News%20and%20Events/SHOW%20ME%20THE%20MONEY.pd
f> 

August 13
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Golf Classic  Chomonix Golf Course,
646 Sandpiper Drive, Lino Lakes.  1:00 PM Tee off (Shot gun start).
Entry fee: $150 per golfer (pledges are tax-deductible).  Eighteen holes
of golf on championship course, refreshments, golf cart social hour,
plated dinner.  First Place Trophies and prizes for:  longest drive &
putt; closest to the pins; low team net & gross.  Experienced and new
golfers invited to play.  Reserve a spot today!  Contact Mike Davey at
612-879-9437 or davey at mnhomelesscoalition.org
<mailto:davey at mnhomelesscoalition.org> .

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Looking for something from the last Bulletin??   Archived issues are
available online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm
<http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm>   For more information
on affordable housing, the content of this document, or if you have news
or events you would like included in future issues, please contact
Rachel Callanan , Policy Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email
rcallanan at mhponline.org <mailto:rcallanan at mhponline.org>  or see
HousingMinnesota's website at www.housingminnesota.org
<http://www.mhponline.org/> .

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