MORE HOMES,
THRIVING COMMUNITIES

OUR POLICY FRAMEWORK

PRESERVE

Preserve and enhance existing Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH)

PROTECT

Protect and prioritize residents who are most vulnerable, experiencing the worst income disparities and/or at greatest risk of displacement

PRODUCE

Produce more units across the entire housing supply, from deeply affordable income-restricted units to new market-rate units

LATEST RESOURCES

TCHA IN THE NEWS

Featured
Opinion: Housing gets built where it’s welcome

Star Tribune, October 30, 2023

In response to "The Fair Housing Act, 55 years later" (Oct. 25) I'd like to respond: "Yes, and ... ."

Yes, we absolutely need more housing that's affordable and accessible. Yes, like many other critical topics, this discussion is frequently bogged down by nuance, disagreement and antiquated funding structures. Yes, we need to build everywhere, not just in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

And, I'd like to offer, this is where many conclusions are oversimplified. In my experience, there are plenty of financiers, developers and property managers who are eager to bring housing projects to suburbs and exurbs. Where I see more of a sticking point is navigating conversations in those exact communities. A long history of risk aversion, NIMBYism, mistrust and slow, unclear bureaucracy are bigger impediments than developers' interests.

First American City to Tame Inflation Owes Its Success to Affordable Housing

Bloomberg, August 9, 2023

No place in the US has put inflation in the rearview mirror quite as fast as Minneapolis.

In May, the Twin Cities became the first major metropolitan area to see annual inflation fall below the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%. Its 1.8% pace of price increases was the lowest of any region that month.

That’s largely due to a region-wide push to address one of the most intractable issues for both the Fed and American consumers: rising housing costs. Well before pandemic-related supply-chain snarls and labor shortages roiled the economy, the city of Minneapolis eliminated zoning that allowed only single-family homes and since 2018 has invested $320 million for rental assistance and subsidies.

Is now a ‘risky time’ for rent control in Minneapolis?

Finance & Commerce, June 1, 2023

Cathy Capone Bennett — executive director of the Twin Cities Housing Alliance, a nonprofit association of housing providers and associated stakeholders — agrees with the report.

“We do not believe that rent control of any sort will help with the significant housing issues that we have right now in our market,” she said.

Investors view the Twin Cities as a region, and she believes a rent-control policy in Minneapolis would impact the whole metro. “Capital markets, they’ll just take their money elsewhere,” she said, laying out a ripple effect of more expensive loans and higher costs to produce new housing, which would exacerbate the housing crisis.

TESTIMONIALS

  • Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, CEO, Aeon

    Twin Cities Housing Alliance gives me a unique space to access research, engage with cities and leaders, and highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the nonprofit housing space. TCHA has provided great opportunities to be in meaningful discussion with policy makers, other property developers and managers, and everyone who cares about finding solutions to our area's housing needs.

    DR. ERIC ANTHONY JOHNSON, CEO, AEON

  • Minnetonka Mayor Brad Wiersum

    Housing is a vexing topic for city leaders. The reality is that a shortage of housing exists in our nation and our region. Increasing the supply of affordable housing is even more challenging. Housing is expensive and in short supply.

    The Twin Cities Housing Alliance is a trusted resource and an ally of city leaders and housing advocates who are working to tackle the housing conundrum in the Twin Cities Region.

    MAYOR BRAD WIERSUM, CITY OF MINNETONKA

  • Caren Dewar, Co-founder, Regional Council of Mayors

    Twin Cities Housing Alliance has been a trusted and helpful partner for the Regional Council of Mayors. As mayors continually look to make informed decisions rooted in data, TCHA has been a great resource for helping city leaders make the case for more housing.

    CAREN DEWAR, CO-FOUNDER, REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS

  • Mike Benedict, President and CEO, Frana Companies

    TCHA’s deep understanding of housing policy and proactive stance toward shaping regional housing outcomes has opened new avenues for us to engage collaboratively and productively with local policymakers. Their expertise has been invaluable in helping stakeholders navigate the complexities of housing policy, ensuring that our engagements are both impactful and aligned with the broader goals of community development and sustainability.

    MIKE BENEDICT, PRESIDENT & CEO, FRANA COMPANIES

  • Sean Sweeney, Co-Founder, Hall Sweeney Properties

    As a real estate company dedicated to developing high-quality residential spaces, we have found invaluable partners in the Twin Cities Housing Alliance. TCHA's commitment to creating affordable, livable communities through solutions-focused advocacy and policy work is paving the way for more inclusive housing, making a real difference in the lives of Twin Cities residents.

    SEAN SWEENEY, CO-FOUNDER, HALL SWEENEY PROPERTIES

  • TCHA's advocacy for sustainable housing solutions are well-aligned with our efforts at Bridgewater Bank in supporting community development. Their expertise in crafting effective housing policies has been invaluable in our joint efforts to create more inclusive and affordable housing options in the Twin Cities.

    JERRY BAACK, PRESIDENT & CEO, BRIDGEWATER BANK

  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey

    Cities thrive on housing policies that are inclusive, innovative, and forward-looking. The Twin Cities Housing Alliance's expertise in housing policy, coupled with their collaborative approach to working alongside local government leaders, is instrumental in advancing Minneapolis’ commitment to developing nuanced and effective housing strategies. Their partnership and guidance ensures that we, as city officials, base our decisions on solid data, paving the way for the growth of housing options that are truly affordable, accessible, and beneficial for all our residents.

    MAYOR JACOB FREY, CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

  • Adam Duininck, President & CEO, Minneapolis Downtown Council

    Participating in the Twin Cities Housing Alliance is serves our mission to foster a thriving downtown Minneapolis while driving positive change in our evolving urban core. TCHA 's innovative and collaborative approach to advancing safe, accessible, and attainable housing throughout the Twin Cities is critical to making our downtown area not just a business hub, but a place people can proudly call home.

    ADAM DUININCK, PRESIDENT & CEO, MINNEAPOLIS DOWNTOWN COUNCIL