Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislators hear bill aiming to close racial gap in homeownership

Nieeta Presley, vice president of the St. Paul NAACP, testifies April 1 in support of HF2507. Sponsored by Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, the bill would authorize the establishment of the African American workforce and affordable homeownership development program witht the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)
Nieeta Presley, vice president of the St. Paul NAACP, testifies April 1 in support of HF2507. Sponsored by Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, the bill would authorize the establishment of the African American workforce and affordable homeownership development program witht the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

Minnesota has one of the largest racial gaps in the nation when it comes to home ownership. While approximately 70% of white households own their homes, about 30% of Black households do. Moreover, an estimated 60% of Black households are cost burdened when it comes to housing, which is double the statewide rate.  

Aiming to address this gap, Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley (DFL-Brooklyn Park) sponsors HF2507, which would establish an African American workforce and affordable home ownership development program. It would appropriate an unspecified amount from General Fund for a grant program for land acquisition, site development, planning and design, to provide affordable homes targeting African American buyers, builders and developers.

The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee laid the bill over Tuesday.

Momanyi-Hiltsley said the bill represents a bold, community-driven effort to close one of the most persistent and painful racial gaps in the state.

“I know owning a home means more than a roof over your head. It means safety, security and legacy,” Momanyi-Hiltsley said, adding there are generational consequences to being locked out of home ownership.  

St. Paul NAACP Vice President Nieeta Presley said local groups have been working hard to increase Black home ownership, but those organizations are inadequately resourced. “Minnesota would gain mightily by investing in the smart, targeted provisions of the bill. Increased economic security for Black Minnesotans means economic gains for all Minnesotans."  

Rep. Liish Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth) recounted the not-too-distant history of Duluth, which tried to prevent a dockworker and first Black resident of Duluth from moving there, efforts that included a petition started by the mayor. “Huge kudos to you and keep going,” Kozlowski said to bill supporters.


Related Articles


Priority Dailies

Minnesota's budget outlook worsens in both near, long term
Gov. Tim Walz takes questions following the release of the state's November budget forecast in December 2024. The latest projections show a $456 million surplus in the current budget cycle and a $6 billion deficit longer-term. (House Photography file photo) It looks as if those calling for less state spending could get their wish, judging from Thursday’s release of the February 2025 Budget and Economic Forecast. A state su...
Minnesota’s projected budget surplus balloons to $3.7 billion, but fiscal pressure still looms
(House Photography file photo) Just as Minnesota has experienced a warmer winter than usual, so has the state’s budget outlook warmed over the past few months. On Thursday, Minnesota Management and Budget...

Minnesota House on Twitter