Video & Transcript Research : 'multifamily development'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Local opposition continue to slow development.
- We have released our multifamily super NOFA.
- This policy would enable development or developers to withdraw cash from existing HCD projects to promote
- community development to align with the deadlines provided by Housing and Urban Development.
- It will lead to improved efficiency and housing development.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Housing panel approves HF2140 3/12/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Homeowners associations are proposed by developers as a way to be creative with development, to build
- and how to attract a developer.
- Neither should a lack of resources be a barrier to help cities gain development when they need it.
- In my role, I am the community development manager for the city of Otana.
- <00:48:23.319>
and when you put in these developments and when you put in these developments
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 18th, 2026 at 11:38 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB145, SB37, HB279, HB292, SB35, SB48, SB20, SJR1, SB38, SB41, SB73, SB100, SB111, SB132, SB152, SJR7, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM30, HM52, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB2, HB70, HB180, SB151, SB240, SB273, HB95, HB247, HB332, HB8, HB253, HB4, HB96
Keywords:
high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 15th, 2026 at 01:58 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB145, HR1, HB80, SB29, SB37, HB206, SB193, SB58, SB64, HB153, HB195, HB234, HB248, HB255, HB279, HB287, HB292, HB303, HB309, HB371, SB30, SB35, SB40, SB43, SB48, SB96, SB143, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50
Keywords:
high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the head of public economic development with Lendistry.
- We need dollars for the multifamily program.
- Multifamily. I got it. All right, you know what I’m saying: multifamily.
- All of our competitive multifamily funding programs would be implicated by that.
- If you're a developer in a low resource community, could you be questions if you're a developer in a
Summary:
The committee heard a series of May Revision budget items, beginning with the State Controller’s Office. SCO described requests for Fiscal Book of Record stabilization, payroll system implementation, ACFR reporting support, and unclaimed property outreach funding. Members focused on the Fiscal system’s July go-live, the improved timeliness of the ACFR, and the unclaimed property program’s roughly $15 billion balance and outreach efforts. The Department of Finance and LAO raised no major concerns, and the item was closed after discussion of how the new outreach funding would be used.
The committee then considered several revenue proposals. Finance presented a proposal to tax pre-written digital software and SaaS, with estimated General Fund gains of $450 million in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing; LAO suggested broader digital tax changes and a business-use exemption, while industry groups opposed the measure as a tax on essential digital tools. CDTFA also presented an administrative request tied to the software tax, and later a $10 million budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs. The committee then heard a federal conformity proposal for new children’s tax-deferred accounts, which LAO supported, and a proposal to cut the first-year LLC/LP minimum tax from $800 to $400, which Finance said would aid small business formation but LAO argued was poorly targeted and would reduce revenue.
Another major item was a permanent business tax credit limitation beginning in 2027, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability. Finance said it would raise about $850 million in 2026-27 and more in later years, while LAO noted it would mainly affect large firms using the R&D credit and could also touch California Competes and other programs. Public testimony split sharply between business groups opposing the cap and advocates supporting it as a progressive revenue measure. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment proposal, which would retain a smaller staff to continue improving the free filing system and return most of the prior funding to the General Fund.
The hearing concluded with the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which brings in about $221,000 to $266,000 annually for arts grants and teacher stipends. Members and advocates supported the item but also urged larger arts funding, including the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development then presented proposals for the California Civic Media Program, CA RISE reappropriation, and a reversion of unused Chips for America facility funds; LAO supported the latter two but was cautious about new civic media spending. Members raised concerns about the civic media program’s scope, including the exclusion of broadcast and the lack of a specific ethnic media set-aside, while GoBiz said funds would begin going out in the fall if approved.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- , specifically on the ability to use the smokable or vapable medical cannabis products in those multifamily
- And there's a secondary prohibition in Minnesota law on the smoking or vaping of cannabis in multifamily
- So, when we get complaints about people consuming smoke or vapes in multifamily housing, we contact the
- that there is a statutory exception for people to consume through smoke or vapor inhalation in a multifamily
- So, would it be better to put it in statute that if you're in a multifamily unit and you are a medical
Keywords:
medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Blake Kaiser-Lock from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.
- I'm the head of public economic development with Lendistry.
- We need dollars for the multifamily program.
- Multifamily. I got it. All right. You know what I'm saying: multifamily.
- All of our competitive multifamily funding programs would be implicated by that.
Summary:
The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment.
The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions.
Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss.
The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- other good stuff that we're doing here to address affordability of single-family homes as well as multifamily
- Multifamily is really important.
- Love to hear multifamily in the mix.
- property that's been created development property that's been created like<00:32:31.480>
exactly< - I'm wondering why you decided to split single-family homes and multifamily into separate bills.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- First is better defining what a multifamily residential development is and tying it to the site plan
- >
costs uh develop development per unit costs uh develop development per unit costs instead<01 - development? development?
- development? development?
- Development on the shores development.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Business and Professions Committee and Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee May 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides each agency with the space to develop deep stakeholder relationships.
- We have numbers of how much more money it costs developers to access more money it costs developers to
- And that is what the Housing, Finance, and Development Committee does.
- The other piece is rural development.
- We are a nonprofit affordable housing developer across two states.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs.
Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs.
Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (9-17-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:43:18.800>
programs, workforce development programs, workforce development programs, investing - Um, we also want to talk about this from an economic development perspective and from the perspective
- And so the way to think about this is if you have economic development activity happening over here,
- <01:03:51.920>
is experiencing economic development is experiencing economic development is - Development districts bill, House Bill 7, in the 2025 session.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Major Tax Provisions in H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) 00:02:45
Kentucky’s Workforce 00:33:35, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and heard a brief member introduction before taking up an overview of major tax provisions in HR1, referred to by the presenters as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Representatives from the Kentucky Society of CPAs explained new federal deductions for tips, overtime, and car loan interest; a new tax-favored “Trump account” for children; expanded bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing for businesses; changes to R&D expensing; and a new limit on wagering loss deductions. Members asked several clarifying questions about the duration of the provisions, W-2 and 1099 reporting changes, and how overtime deductions would work. The presenters emphasized that tips and overtime remain subject to payroll taxes and that many of the business provisions are permanent, while the individual deductions are temporary through 2028 or otherwise phased in over time.
The discussion then shifted to individual and nonprofit provisions, including the increase in the state and local tax itemized deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 with income-based phaseouts, the temporary senior deduction, and a new deduction for car loan interest with income limits and vehicle qualifications. On charitable giving, the presenters described a permanent nonitemizer deduction, new floors for individual and corporate charitable deductions, and a new scholarship-granting organization credit that would allow donors to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal credit up to $1,700, beginning in 2027. Members focused heavily on the SGO provision, asking about state implementation, oversight, whether churches would qualify, and whether the credit could support both public and private education. The presenters said the state would need to establish the mechanism and that additional federal guidance is still pending.
After the tax presentation, the committee heard from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on workforce issues, with a focus on child care and housing as barriers to labor force participation. Chamber representatives said they were not proposing large new government programs, but rather targeted policy recommendations for the 2026 session. They described Kentucky’s long-term decline in workforce participation since 2000, attributing much of it to demographic change, an aging population, and fewer younger workers entering the labor force. The presentation continued into a broader discussion of workforce trends and the need for practical policy responses, but no votes or formal actions were taken on these informational items.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (1-29-26) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- The Turnpike Authority of Kentucky is scheduled to issue economic development road revenue refunding
- The first informational item is for the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, CommonSpirit
- They provided $40.5 million to finance a multifamily residential rental facility located in Jefferson
- They provided $40.5 million to finance<00:40:55.200>
a <00:40:55.440>multifamily <00:40: - a multifamily residential rental facility<00:40:57.599>
located <00:40:58.000>in <00:40
Summary:
The committee first approved the December meeting minutes and received several information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, University of Kentucky medical and equipment purchases, school district bond issue notices, and a University of Kentucky RFP for an enterprise services partner. Members also briefly discussed a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for student housing and dining, with comments that such arrangements may improve efficiency and use of taxpayer dollars during a difficult budget year.
The main substantive discussion centered on a new CHFS lease in Harlan County for the Department for Community Based Services. Members questioned the proposed annual cost of $25.62 per square foot, which was far above the county average cited in the meeting, and raised concerns about the one responsive bid, the long lease term through 2033, and whether a nearby hospital or other entity might have been interested. CHFS staff said the current office space is in poor condition, that the new lease includes needed construction and 60 parking spaces, and that the office is limited to considering only actual bidders. After debate over whether to rebid or negotiate, the committee voted to approve the lease, with some members supporting it because of the current facility’s condition and others recording reservations.
The committee then approved the remaining 10 lease renewals as a group. These included one renewal for the Commonwealth’s prosecutorial system and renewals for several CHFS offices, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Natural Resources. One member noted that seven of the 10 renewals were at or below the county average rate and said the overall package was substantially in line with local market conditions.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- There already were previous compromises that were developed.
- <01:51:27.280>
Um, <01:51:27.520>a compromise that were developed. - Um, a compromise that were developed.
- Realtors, builders, landlords, investors, and developers would be the beneficiaries of this bill.
- Realtors, builders, landlords, investors, and developers would be the beneficiaries of this bill.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- housing development.
- I guess because developers have chosen to put a lot of solar down there.
- And our organization is trying to make sure that we realize the potential of this development.
- And as others have said, solar developers need less red tape. They need predictability.
- As others have said, solar developers need less red tape.
Summary:
The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals.
A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities.
Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers.
No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Kentucky Housing Task Force 2025 (10-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- housing developers come together. housing developers come together.
- So anyone that's gone through a development plan, zone change, uh, process in terms of development, it
- So, anyone development plan process.
- From the nonprofit developers and the for-profit developers perspective, this 12.5-acre site and the
- <00:17:14.079>
developers developers and the for-profit developers developers and the for-profit
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:07
Roll Call 00:00:25
Discussion of Lexington’s Housing Affordability Partnership 00:02:26
Discussion of Northern Kentucky’s Housing Blueprint 00:30:12
Discussion of Religious Institution Land Use 00:57:33
Discussion of Free-Market Solutions to Kentucky’s Housing Crisis 01:04:18
Adjournment 01:26:37, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum and began informally, with members noting this was the final information-gathering meeting on housing before a November meeting to discuss findings and report back to the LRC. The main presentation focused on the Lexington Affordable Housing Partnership, a public-private effort supported by a $10 million state allocation. Presenters described Fayette County’s housing shortage, citing a gap of more than 22,000 units, rising home prices, and the challenge of assembling land and capital for affordable projects.
The partnership explained that five local banks created a $3 million capital investment fund to buy and hold land at no interest, with deed restrictions keeping the site at 80% or below area median income and allowing the banks to seek Community Reinvestment Act credit. The first project is a 12.5-acre former Transylvania University baseball field, planned for about 242 units, including detached homes, townhouses, garden-style apartments, and senior housing. Speakers said the project required extensive neighborhood engagement and zoning/development approvals, but that the planning phase is now largely complete and infrastructure work should begin soon.
Financing details included roughly $64 million in additional funding through tax credit equity, market-rate loans, city support, Kentucky Housing Corporation resources, and donations from nonprofit partners. Developers said the multifamily bond applications are due to Kentucky Housing Corporation the next day, and they expect the land purchase to be repaid into the revolving fund once the property is entitled and closed, allowing the original $3 million to be redeployed for future projects. They estimated rental units could be filled within about six months of completion, while for-sale units would come online over 12 to 36 months.
In discussion, members asked about regulatory barriers and project timelines. Presenters pointed to rising construction costs tied to new federal and state requirements, and one member highlighted the need to continue reviewing planning and zoning reforms to speed development plan approvals and reduce delays. The group also endorsed a possible statewide $20 million housing fund, a residential infrastructure fund, and efforts to avoid additional regulatory burdens on housing development.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So by permitting multifamily housing and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, HB 631 would provide
- So by permitting multifamily housing and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, HB 631 would provide
- So by permitting multifamily housing and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, HB 631 would provide
- And the reason that this is more attainable currently to build from the ground up a new multifamily development
- And the reason that this is more attainable currently to build from the ground up a new multifamily development
Summary:
The House Housing Committee heard testimony on HB 577, a bill to expand accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in New Hampshire. The sponsor and supporters described the state’s housing shortage and argued the bill would make it easier for property owners to build ADUs by right, up to 950 square feet, either attached or detached, while still requiring compliance with building codes, septic/water limits, and other local requirements. Supporters said the measure would help seniors age in place, provide housing for young adults, caregivers, and workers, and make better use of existing property such as garages and barns.
Representative Reed raised concern that removing language related to short-term rentals could allow ADUs to be used for that purpose rather than long-term housing. The sponsor said he was open to clarifying language on short-term rentals, and another witness explained that current law already allows municipalities some choice on ingress/egress requirements, while the bill would standardize that and leave the design choice to the property owner. Several supportive witnesses followed, including the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, the Business and Industry Association, AARP, Housing Action New Hampshire, 603 Forward, and New Hampshire Youth Movement. They emphasized affordability, property rights, workforce housing, intergenerational living, and the need for statewide consistency.
A Derry resident testified that his existing garage space could be converted into an ADU under HB 577, but current local rules prevent that because it is detached; he said the bill would let him rent it affordably. Supporters also argued that ADUs can increase property values and help homeowners cover mortgages and taxes. In opposition, the New Hampshire Municipal Association said the bill would impose a local zoning mandate, could add density pressure on already stressed infrastructure, and did not guarantee that new units would be affordable or workforce housing. No vote or final committee action was taken in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/28/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:15:58.240>
lot because these developers can earn a lot because these developers can earn a - And even today I’ve been told that for developers that are here at the National Multifamily Council meeting
- And even today I’ve been told that for developers that are here at the National Multifamily Council meeting
- And even today I’ve been told that for developers that are here at the National Multifamily Council meeting
- And even today I’ve been told that for developers that are here at the National Multifamily Council meeting
Summary:
The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard informational presentations from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on the state of housing in Minnesota. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state has a severe housing shortage, with demand outpacing supply since the 2007-09 housing crash, and argued that Minnesota is nearly 100,000 units short of a healthy market. He said new homes are increasingly unaffordable, citing a median new single-family price above $530,000 and declining affordability in the Twin Cities metro, and he urged lawmakers to remove exclusionary zoning and other regulatory barriers that he said make starter homes and smaller-lot housing difficult or illegal to build in many growing cities. He also highlighted the group’s Housing for Heroes projects, including transitional housing for veterans and other crisis housing projects around the state.
Members asked Foster about starter-home examples and his view that the committee’s top priority should be reforming residential development approvals. He said most new housing is negotiated through planned unit developments rather than built under base zoning, which he argued adds cost and reduces supply. The committee then heard from Elizabeth Wael of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, who said housing challenges outside the metro are different but equally serious. She said many Greater Minnesota cities face a lack of developers, inadequate infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and gaps in the housing continuum, especially starter workforce housing and senior housing. She thanked the committee for 2023 housing funding and said cities are contributing their own resources, updating zoning, reducing parking requirements, allowing ADUs, and partnering with developers and nonprofits.
Wael also urged faster rollout of the Greater Minnesota infrastructure grant program and said the state should consider changes to the housing tax credit and housing TIF rules to make them easier to use. In response, senators said they shared frustration with the slow implementation of the infrastructure program and emphasized the need for state investment and locally tailored zoning reforms. No bills were heard and no votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on stakeholder testimony and committee discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill focuses mostly on the bigger parcels, so like commercial multifamily buildings, that I feel
- This bill focuses mostly on the bigger parcels, so like commercial multifamily buildings, that I feel
- This bill focuses mostly on the bigger parcels, so like commercial multifamily buildings, that I feel
- initial path for project development initial path for project development okay<00:10:16.040>
- Woodbury so we're not fully developed Woodbury so we're not fully developed yet<00:10:29.920>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Housing Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I think we've had many conversations, and we are very interested in supporting housing development.
- When a developer submits an application for funding, the developer strives to get as many points as possible
- Things like single-family homes, footprint townhomes, and also multifamily housing.
- One would include a jurisdiction that makes it easier to build multifamily housing within commercial
- adopts any of these local policies that have the net benefit of making it easier to develop housing
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/03/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- >
the <00:02:12.800>Federal development advisor with the Federal development advisor with - affordable housing that is developed affordable housing that is developed with<00:14:43.040>
- Land being the land available, developable, with what a housing developer wants to put onto that land
- to be developed.
- We represent Community Developers.