Access to safe and affordable housing is vital for Minnesota families and community well-being. However, with a lack of housing inventory. Adding housing stock, and skyrocketing prices, this continues to be one the biggest challenges for our state.
According to the Minnesota Housing Partnership’s (MHP) 2024 State of the State’s Housing Profile, more than a quarter of Minnesota families, including half of all households who rent, pay more than they can afford, and that number continues to grow.
In addition, housing instability continues to rise with evictions increasing 44% since pre-COVID years. According to the MHP report, there were 24,211 evictions filed last year – mainly since more and more homeowners and renters are paying beyond their means, combined with the fact that there are not enough affordable homes available. The report shares that more than 114,000 households are currently in need of affordable homes across our state.
To support our neighbors in need while remaining in their homes, we need to find more solutions to support home ownership over a longer period of time.
At Rebuilding Together Minnesota, our work provides critical home modifications that allows homeowners to remain in their homes and communities, safely. From simple installations such as grab bars, handrails, lighting and fire protection, to more significant improvements like new roofing, windows, landscaping, and accessibility ramps – our programs support stable, dignified housing that protects existing housing stock, stabilizing families and communities, building pathways to generational wealth over time.
This is extremely important as the cost of homeownership continues to push the limits of what’s attainable. In fact, MHP recently reported that the average homeowner in the state needs an annual household income of nearly $100,000 to afford a median-priced home.
Rebuilding Together Minnesota, along with corporate and state-led housing organizations, like the MHP, Minnesota Housing and the Department of Human Services, feel housing is a basic need that everyone should have access to.
While no organization or task force can shift the strain Minnesotan’s are feeling on their own, we are proud to be doing our part, supporting hundreds of our neighbors across the state with the critical improvements they need to weather the impacts of our changing housing landscape. These renovations are an important part of the solution that keeps our most vulnerable homeowners safe and secure.