Representative Spencer Igo in Housing Press Conference Unveils “Yes to Homes” Legislative Agenda
St. Paul, MN — On Wednesday, Representative Spencer Igo, joined by housing leaders from both GOP and DFL caucuses in the Minnesota House and Senate, held a bi-partisan press conference to introduce the "Yes to Homes" Legislative Agenda. The initiative aims to address Minnesota’s housing crisis through the key pillars of diversity, affordability, and stability.
“This issue hits close to home for me. Since being elected to the legislature in 2020, housing has been a consistent concern from my friends, colleagues, peers, and constituents,” said Rep. Igo. “People from all generations want to be homeowners, yet they struggle to find and afford homes. With Minnesota down 100,000 housing units, a median first-time homebuyer age of 38, and average mortgage payments over $2,500 a month, it’s clear that we need more homes.”
A central component of the legislative agenda is Rep. Igo's Minnesota Starter Home Act, which directly supports the pillars of diversity, affordability, and stability:
- Diversity: The Minnesota Starter Home Act promotes the development of a wide range of housing types, including single-family homes, townhomes, and smaller, more accessible units. This approach ensures that all Minnesotans, from first-time homebuyers to seniors looking to downsize, have options that meet their needs.
- Affordability: By cutting regulations that have hindered certain types of development, the Minnesota Starter Home Act aims to lower construction costs and make homeownership achievable for more families. This addresses the fact that 600,000 Minnesotans are currently cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing.
- Stability: The act focuses on creating long-term housing opportunities, fostering stable communities where residents can build their futures. It draws inspiration from historic home-building practices, reminiscent of the starter homes built for the Greatest Generation returning from World War II. These homes created stable neighborhoods then, and they can do so again today.
The bipartisan "Yes to Homes" coalition, composed of 25 supporting organizations, underscores the broad support for these initiatives. Similar policies have shown success in both red and blue states, demonstrating that this approach is not only effective but also widely accepted.
"Stable homes lead to stable communities, and those stable and strong communities build a resilient and thriving Minnesota," added Rep. Igo. "By focusing on diversity, affordability, and stability, we can create lasting solutions to our housing crisis."
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