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Governor's Task Force: 'Commit to homes as a priority'

This Task Force organized its findings into six goals, breaking it down more intensely with 30 recommendations. One goal is to preserve the homes we have, and another is simply building more homes

ST. PAUL, Minn. - More than half a million Minnesotans are struggling to afford quality housing across the state.

So, last December, Governor Mark Dayton created the Governor's Task Force on Housing, traveling around the state for months and meeting with hundreds of people, to figure out the state's housing challenges and come up with new solutions.

OK, first, the why.

One reason: Last year, the median family income in Minnesota, in real dollars, was lower than in 2009.

"So, income growth has not kept pace with an unemployment rate that's now 3 percent," said Dayton.

Combine that with the rising cost of housing or in some places, including greater Minnesota, no housing.

"We're very lucky in Minnesota to have growing communities in our rural areas and we do indeed need to tackle how we get more housing built in those areas of all types," said Mary Tingerthal, the Minnesota Housing Commissioner.

All right, secondly, the solutions.

This Task Force organized its findings into six goals, breaking it down more intensely with 30 recommendations. One goal is to preserve the homes we have, and another is simply building more homes.

"There are some things we can solve together that will allow us to have the construction industry be able to build housing more rapidly," said Tingerthal.

And, this group is recommending the private construction industry adapt and advance with new technology.

"They need to tell us what they need in terms of additional incentives if that's the case to meet the need," said Dayton.

Another one of the 30 recommendations is public money, although at this point, the Task Force isn't sure how much of an investment is necessary.

The six goals from the task force are as follows:

  • Commit to homes as a priority
  • Preserve the homes we have
  • Build more homes
  • Increase home stability
  • Link homes and services
  • Support and strengthen homeownership

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