ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota housing organizations from across the state are celebrating legislation by U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, advancing to the Senate floor. Smith’s bills were included in the first comprehensive, national housing reform legislative package in over a decade, dubbed the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, which passed the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously (24-0).
“The lack of safe, decent, affordable housing in this country is a choice that we’re making, but with this new legislative package, we’re choosing a different path. For the first time in over a decade, this committee is taking bipartisan action to cut red tape, boost the supply of housing, lower housing costs, and improve how we tackle homelessness in ways that best work for individual communities,” said Senator Smith. “The biggest share of the average Minnesotan’s monthly budget is their rent or their mortgage. Taking action on the housing crisis is one of the best ways we can make life more affordable and better for families, because if you don’t have a safe, decent, affordable place to live, nothing else in your life works.”
Smith’s legislation included:
- Rural Housing Service Reform Act, which would preserve affordable homes in small towns and rural communities by updating the Rural Housing Service and its programs for the first time in decades.
- Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act, which would cut red tape and support local solutions for addressing homelessness.
“We all need a safe, stable place to call home. The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 brings together real, workable solutions that will help more families put down roots and thrive. From making it easier to build high-quality homes using modern methods like modular construction, to expanding access to small-dollar mortgages and homeownership opportunities, this legislation helps create the homes Minnesota needs,” said Anne Mavity, Executive Director of the Minnesota Housing Partnership. “We’re especially grateful for Senator Smith’s leadership on pieces of this package that reflect what Minnesotans have been calling for: practical tools to increase housing options and reduce red tape. This bill is a step toward the future we all deserve—one where every family, in every community, can find and afford a home.”
“In Northern Minnesota, where housing shortages are compounded by geographic isolation and limited resources, the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 is not just good policy—it’s essential. Rural communities face unique challenges that require flexible, targeted investment to ensure every individual and family has a safe place to call home. As a Continuum of Care Coordinator, I see firsthand how this legislation would empower local partners to expand housing options, strengthen supportive services, and build solutions rooted in the realities of rural life. We cannot afford to leave rural America behind,” said Barbara Johnson, Coordinator at Northwest Continuum of Care.
“This legislation is a critical step forward in addressing Minnesota’s housing shortage, especially in rural communities where the needs are both unique and urgent. We’re especially encouraged by the focus on expanding access to rural homeownership, preserving affordable rural rental housing, and strengthening support for manufactured housing—all essential to providing affordable, stable homes across the state. Senator Smith’s commitment to a broad range of housing solutions and her bipartisan leadership are helping ensure every Minnesotan has a fair shot at a safe place to call home,” said Andrea Brennan, CEO & President of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund.
“Senator Smith has long been a tremendous supporter of affordable housing. These proposals to reduce the barriers and administrative burden to increase the production of affordable housing are bi-partisan solutions that not only address the needs of low and moderate income households across Minnesota and the United States, but also spur economic development across our state and country,” said Jill A. Keppers, MPH, President, MN NAHRO and Executive Director, Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth, Minnesota
“Many of our communities are facing rising costs, limited supply, and aging infrastructure that makes housing out of reach for a growing number of our citizens. This is especially true in our rural areas, where there are also fewer resources. Safe, affordable, and stable housing has a deep, well-documented impact on people’s overall well-being and long-term success. The evidence is clear – when people have stable housing, health outcomes improve, reliance on crisis services like emergency rooms and jails decreases, and children are more likely to attend school consistently and perform better academically. Safe and stable housing relieves the constant stress of eviction, unsafe conditions, and financial instability—allowing people to focus on work, care for their families, and improve both their physical and mental health,” said Carla Solem, West Central Minnesota Continuum of Care.
“The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 creates essential changes to address the lack of development for affordable housing, especially in rural communities. For example, Section 212 – Revitalizing Empty Structures into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act will allow communities like Eagle Bend, who merged schools with another local community, the opportunity to access funds to convert their school into senior housing. The communities plan to convert their school has been in the works for over 15 years which includes 4 years of trying to secure funding. Section 502 – HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act will help affordable housing developers build more affordable housing by updating program administration requirements. This program allows developers to help low-income families move into affordable housing and create a stable environment for themselves and their children. The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 addresses needed changes to programs from homelessness to homeownership. These changes will help developers address the growing need for more affordable housing options,” said Deanna Hemmesch, Executive Director of the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership.
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