Mankato, MN [3/7/16] – Rep. Walz convened housing experts from around the state to discuss how we can work together to tackle the challenges we face at a local, state and federal level.
One of the most significant challenges southern Minnesota’s growing economy faces is a lack of workforce housing for individuals and families to make home, making it difficult for businesses, schools, hospitals and others to attract workers. According to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, approximately 4,500-7,500 additional rental units are needed across the state
“If we are going to grow jobs and fuel our local economic engines, we need places for southern Minnesotans to call home,” said Rep. Tim Walz. “We have to come together at the local, state and federal levels to address this issue. Hearing from people today allows me to take their voices back to Washington and shape policy that helps our communities and grows our local economy.”
“I am pleased to join Congressman Walz to discuss affordable workforce housing needs and solutions that work for Southern Minnesota and communities across the state. We are committed to helping communities develop housing as a platform for success for working families and individuals, and will continue to work with our federal, local and private partners on this important issue, ” said Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Mary Tingerthal.
“We appreciate Congressman Walz bringing further attention to our housing challenges in Austin and across his congressional district by holding this summit. Without addressing a chronic lack of housing, at all demographic levels, it places Austin at a competitive disadvantage to those in more prosperous areas of the state and presents a significant impediment towards our employers’ ability to add jobs and grow our economic base. Advancing targeted solutions to address the funding gaps in housing can prove to be a great investment in our rural communities’ sustainability and we thank the Congressman for bringing parties together to promote workable alternatives as we move forward,” said Austin City Administrator Craig Clark
“Developing and attracting a workforce to fill over 200 jobs in the immediate Albert Lea vicinity is presently one of the most critical issues affecting Albert Lea. We have identified that Albert Lea has high demand, but insufficient supply, of available and quality workforce housing to attract and retain employees for our local business community. The Workforce Housing Summit will provide an opportunity for communities in southeast Minnesota to collaborate and find solutions to meet the workforce needs of our local businesses,” said Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams
“Workforce housing is a critical component to growing economy and therefore our communities. Regional summits are important to thoughtfully examine where we are and planning move forward to where we need to be,” said Owatonna Chamber President Jennifer Libby
“The workforce shortage in SE MN is the number one issue facing our companies. Lack of available and affordable housing is part of the problem. How can we recruit people to our communities and to local jobs when we do not have the housing capacity needed? It is not an easy problem to fix, and it will take collaboration between the public and private sector to find a path forward,” said Della Schmidt, President, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce
“I appreciate Congressman Walz’s effort to bring the various parties to the table to discuss the role the Federal Government can take in helping to solve this critical issue within our communities. We have long recognized that this critical community need will require collaboration at all levels so that we can continue to advance economic opportunities,” said City of Worthington Director of Community and Economic Development Bradley Chapulis,
In the past several months, Walz and his staff have traveled across southern Minnesota meeting with communities and businesses affected by this issue. Today’s event consisted of several panel discussions and small group discussions to solicit the opinions of all the attendees.
Some of the suggested solutions including increasing available tax credits and making common-sense policy changes to enable local financial institutions to lend.
