Housing is a fundamental human right, and our city must take bold action to ensure everyone has safe, affordable and stable housing. I’m a strong believer in a comprehensive housing first approach that addresses individuals' needs, including addiction, mental health, employment, and economic challenges. 

My vision includes both immediate and sustainable solutions, such as increasing low-barrier shelters and affordable housing stock, reducing rental evictions and enhancing renter protections, addressing homelessness with compassion, tackling the opioid crisis, keeping seniors and youth in their homes, and fostering strong partnerships with government agencies for a more effective and collaborative approach.

What We Did:

Affordable Housing Trust Fund: My office has prioritized investments into affordable housing. I have supported the City’s capital gap financing for multifamily rental projects with funding of $16.8 million in 2023, $18 million in 2024, and $17.9 million in 2025. Additionally, I authored an amendment adding "Youth" as an Equitable Development eligibility criteria to address and prioritize youth homelessness.

Key funding investments include:

• $5.15 million for preservation and rehabilitation of 212 units at Little Earth in East Phillips/Ward 9.

• $3.25 million for 98 mixed-income units at Cheatham Apartments in Howe/Ward 9, that includes 26 units at 30% AMI.

• $1.36 million for the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative NorthView Project, preserving 31 units (22 at 30% AMI) in Powderhorn/Ward 9 and surrounding neighborhoods.

• $4 million for the Native American Community Clinic in Phillips, which will include 83-units new construction of affordable multifamily rental housing with a new clinic space.

• $1.23 million for the Belfry Apartments Project at 3901 Chicago Ave, providing 41 affordable units near George Floyd Square.

30-Day Rental Pre-Eviction Notice Ordinance: Authored an ordinance helping prevent homelessness by extending the pre-eviction notice from 14 to 30 days, giving renters more time to access rental assistance programs or resolve issues with their landlord before a formal eviction is placed on their record. 

Agate Housing and Shelter Project (2806 27th Ave S, Ward 9): Secured $1.62 million to develop a shelter in the Longfellow neighborhood with 54 beds and 50 apartments, along with support services, communal areas, and a health clinic. This will provide a low-barrier entry with a housing-first model.

Bloom Lake Flats (3020 16th Ave S, Ward 9): Secured $231,210 in grant funding to stabilize 42 units of affordable housing in Powderhorn dedicated to households exiting homelessness. 

Minnehaha Commons (3001 East Lake Street, Ward 9):. Secured $175,159 in grant funding to stabilize 44 units of affordable housing in Longfellow with a specialization in serving seniors with a history of homelessness. 

Avivo Village Stabilization and Shelter Operations Grant: Authored a $1.6 million budget amendment to help stabilize the shelter operations of this site. This shelter is a first-ever, indoor community of 100 secure, private dwellings or “tiny houses” that provides shelter and wraparound services to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. 

Sky Without Limits Cooperative (3112, 3116, 3122, and 3142 22nd Ave S): Approved a council action that will help facilitate the stabilization of 49 units of affordable housing for an additional 30 years from the date of acquisition by the cooperative in Corcoran/Ward 9.

Emergency Housing Voucher program: Supported $1.8 million in funding to provide 50 families and 50 individuals with permanent housing and wraparound services. Unfortunately, Mayor Frey has failed to implement this program and has proposed cutting it. 

Stable Homes Stable Schools Expansion Program: Authored a budget amendment that will establish an Early Childhood Prevention and Middle School housing program with Minneapolis Public Schools. An additional 180-225 families (representing 440-565 children) could be served by the program meant to tackle youth homelessness.

Homelessness Low-Barrier Employment Pilot Program: Authored a budget amendment to establish an employment program for adults encountering homelessness or housing instability. These low-barrier job opportunities will help employ community and increase the cleanliness and livability of the Southside Green Zone. 

Encampment Removal Reporting Ordinance: Authored an ordinance increasing transparency and accountability by requiring regular quarterly reporting around encampment removal actions, including costs, staff present, services offered and residents impacted.

Housing Status Protected Class Ordinance: Authored a comprehensive civil rights ordinance banning discrimination for your housing status in employment, education, and public accommodations.

Renter’s Rights Mandatory Disclosure Ordinance: Passed an ordinance which requires landlords to inform tenants of their renter rights, and which will help renters learn about a prospective landlord’s code violations prior to signing a lease.

Rental Algorithms Ban Ordinance: Authored an ordinance meant to address rent increases by banning the practice of rent price-fixing using anti-competitive pricing algorithms and data sharing.

Increased Vacant Building Fees:  Passed an ordinance meant to foster development by accelerating enforcement on vacant buildings and increasing fees for owners who leave properties empty, discouraging neglect and disrepair.

Emergency funding for Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center: Authored a budget resolution providing emergency funding to support the operations of the MIWRC helping unsheltered residents have a safe place to be during extreme weather conditions.

Public Health Response to Unsheltered Homelessness Funding: Authored a budget amendment that provides resources for an adequate public health approach to encampments. 

Safe Outdoor Space Program/Safe Parking Program Funding: Authored a budget amendment to secure an overnight space for people living in their vehicles or spaces. Providing safe parking spaces for people living in vehicles may be an effective early intervention model, helping to prevent some people from sliding further into homelessness.

Social Housing Study: Authored a budget amendment to learn how the City of Minneapolis could support the development of social housing, which is a form of public housing that is permanently and deeply affordable, under community control, and exists outside of the speculative real estate market.

Right to Counsel: Secured funding for legal counsel for those facing displacement in Minneapolis. I will continue to support these efforts.

Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing Restructure: Authored a resolution amending the committee's membership by adding two seats for individuals who are currently or have formerly been unhoused (family and single community). Addressing the housing crisis requires collaboration with those most affected. 

Public Housing Funding: Successfully advocated for the city to establish a $5 million Public Housing Levy which will help to preserve and expand the city’s public housing stock.

Tenant Based Rental Assistance: Transfered $1.8 million in funding from Rainbow Health to the Aliveness Project to ensure continuity of services to clients and lessen the impact to the community after the abrupt closure of Rainbow Health. This will provide tenant-based rental assistance with supportive services to approximately 15 households, with the option of annual renewal based on performance and funding availability.

Minneapolis Homes Program: Funded a homeownership program and a down payment assistance program which aims to eliminate racial disparities in homeownership. I supported $2.5 million in funding for 2023, $2 million for 2024, and $1.35 million for 2025.

Office to Residential Housing Conversions Ordinance: Passed an ordinance streamlining the city’s review process for converting non-residential buildings to residential use, quickly turning unused spaces into readily available housing to address vacancies in Downtown.

Intergovernmental Relations: Amended the City’s Legislative Agenda to advocate for funding innovative housing models and Housing First initiatives, the fiscal cliff facing shelters, and support for Land Value Tax authorization for cities.

Looking Ahead:

Navigation Center: Support the establishment of a government-sponsored center with both social services and beds meant to address unsheltered homelessness as an immediate and temporary solution. 

Micro-Communities: Fund the creation of micro communities with tiny homes across  Minneapolis with on-site supportive services, case management, peer support, addiction and mental health services. This work can be done on city-land and in partnership with housing providers and communities.

South Minneapolis Indoor Tiny Village: Continue to work towards establishing an indoor tiny village in South Minneapolis to address unsheltered homelessness.

Safe Outdoor Space and Safe Parking Ordinance: Create an ordinance to authorize regulated outdoor spaces for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, providing healthy, secure, staffed environments. This will also include designated safe parking areas for those living in their vehicles to sleep and access services.

Humane Encampment Response Ordinance: Create a policy addressing homelessness that includes personal belongings storage, eviction notices, public health services, limited police involvement, and guaranteed housing

Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Prioritize funding for 30% AMI housing stock.

Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act: Support policies that allow tenants to buy their homes without displacement and provide time to submit offers.

Just Cause Notice Ordinance: Support an ordinance requiring landlords to explain non-renewals, ample notice, and offer relocation assistance to renters being asked to leave.

Rent Control Ordinance: Support rent control policy to keep housing affordable and prevent displacement.

City Template Requirements for Housing Incidents: Create an ordinance mandating landlords inform applicants and tenants of their rights related to application denials and evictions, along with resources for assistance.

Collaborative Approach: As a City Council Member, I will collaborate with Federal, State, County, City, and Park Board governments to address homelessness and affirm housing as a human right.

Support the LGBTQIA+ and Native community who are most at risk of homelessness by funding initiatives that reduce barriers and promote a safe, healthy environment.