The need for stable housing, and resources to provide some of that housing with supportive services, will be a key issue at the capitol in 2025. The state’s critical affordable housing shortage and a growing number of unsheltered persons have raised awareness statewide. 

The affordable housing issue can affect Minnesotans with disabilities in various ways. One concern is that people who have modest incomes, especially people with disabilities, are paying too much of their incomes for housing.

The affordable housing shortage especially affects the state’s workforce, including those who provide care for people with disabilities.

Accessible housing is also a need, especially in Greater Minnesota, where people want to stay near friends and family. Housing with supportive services can be in short supply in some areas.

Another wrinkle is that many people with disabilities are unsheltered. The percentage of unsheltered, disabled people is a point of debate among advocacy groups. Some estimates are that more than 40 percent of unsheltered persons live with at least one disability.

One message elected officials around Minnesota have is that stable housing is the key to solving many problems, including the homelessness crisis and disability issues.

Housing needs are also a perennial issue for Minnesota disability services providers, with many groups bringing forward proposals. One proposal for the 2025 legislative session is Our Future Starts at Home. The Arc Minnesota is a coalition leader. The coalition is bringing back an item introduced in the 2024 session.

Proposed is an amendment to the state constitution. It would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot, to increase funding for accessible, affordable housing. The amendment would dedicate statewide funding to housing, much like that for infrastructure or healthcare, by creating a statewide sales tax.  Thirty-seven cents of every $100 spent would go toward making sure families and future generations of Minnesotans can live and thrive by making stable housing affordable, according to the legislative proposal.  “Housing is a basic human need that all Minnesotans should have access to, no matter what they look like and where they come from. When everyone has a roof over their head, our communities are not only better, they’re stronger,” the proposal stated.

If approved, the constitutional amendment would set up funds for home ownership, rental opportunity, and household and community stability support. It would provide $440 million annually and is touted as addressing the state’s housing crisis with a statewide systemic solution.

The proposal has legislative sponsors in place. The coalition is part of the larger Homes For All Coalition. That group is the statewide coalition that brings forward legislative proposals to improve housing policy and fund accessible affordable housing needs statewide.
Headlines around the state indicate how serious the housing crisis has become. Here are just a few examples around the state:

• The leadership of Minneapolis’ Agate Housing and Services announced the closing of its 42-bed shelter program and 95-bed board and lodge program in August. Agate Executive Director Kyle Hanson cited increasing financial pressure on nonprofits serving the homeless and lack of dollars available for a much-needed building rehabilitation as factors leading to the planned closure of the 100-year-old building.  The closing would have impacted 29 individuals living in shelter and 53 individuals living in low-barrier board and lodge units, and cause staff layoffs.

But the Minneapolis City Council stepped forward this fall to allocate $1.5 million toward Agate’s needs and match $1.5 million from a private donor. The city measure was criticized by Mayor Jacob Frey. The mayor pointed out that the city didn’t have the funding in its budget and the funds will have to be taken from other needs.

Agate sees part of its needs as temporary as the nonprofit is working with housing provider Trellis to open a new facility and replace 54 beds.

• In St. Paul’s Midway area, neighbors and advocates are at odds over planned expansion of the Kimball Court building. The building is being expanded to house almost 100 residents. Many residents are transitioning out of homelessness. Some residents struggle with mental health and chemical dependency issues, and need low-barrier housing for a place to live.

The building has become a flashpoint as more people visit the neighborhood to buy and use opioids. A recent St. Paul Police Department report indicates that Kimball Court is the location for most of narcotics activity in the western part of St. Paul.

Kimball Court’s owner-operator, the interfaith group Beacon, points out that it has made changes to on-site security. Beacon leaders told neighbors recently that building renovation and expansion will improve security. But at a recent meeting that drew more than 350, some neighbors were skeptical. 

• Washington County officials are planning that suburban county’s first accommodation and housing for residents experiencing homelessness. The building, which will be on the county’s government center campus in Stillwater, will have 30 units. Residents will have access to county supports and services, and help to transition to permanent housing.

• In Owatonna, the local Housing Trust Council is looking at plans for 10 new housing units to be dispersed through the Colonial Manor manufactured and mobile home park. Units would be owned and leased by the Owatonna Housing and Development Authority. The plan was developed by the advisory council for the Steele County Housing Trust Fund, which was established in 2023.  The Owatonna Peoples’ Press recently had an article about the housing, stating that more housing could be added in the future if funding can be found. Some housing units would be for people with mental health disabilities.