CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENT

FOR HOUSING

Because Minnesotans, no matter �what we look like or where we come from, belong in safe and healthy homes.

@ourhomesmn

Workshop Session Goals

• Learn about the Constitutional Amendment for Housing
• Learn advocacy skills and participate in an advocacy activity
• Increase engagement in our movement to transform the housing system - we are a community working together on big goals!

A Constitutional Amendment �is necessary to meet our future housing investment needs.

Connect + Share

• Building a community of advocates means getting to know one another
• Gather in groups of 2 or 3 for 7 minutes to discuss
• Report out - We will ask 3 or 4 people to share what they hope to learn today

A Constitutional Amendment �is necessary to meet our future housing investment needs.

• Share who you are and how you are showing up this morning
• Share what you hope to learn this session

MINNESOTA’S HOUSING SYSTEM IS UNDERFUNDED AND INEQUITABLE.

We have one of the largest racial disparities of home ownership in the entire country.

80%

60%

40%

20%

Housing insecurity is unequally felt.

1950

2019

HOME OWNERSHIP DISPARITY

WHITE MINNESOTANS

BLACK MINNESOTANS

A BOLD MOVE �FOR HOUSING IS ESSENTIAL NOW.

A Constitutional Amendment �is necessary to meet our future housing investment needs.

DEDICATED REVENUE FOR HOUSING WITH �A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

No matter what we look like or where we come from, we all need a safe place to call home. This amendment would create a reliable source of funding for housing—just as Minnesota does for transportation and education. For about 38 cents on every $100 spent—spare change with statewide impact—we can help ensure more Minnesotans have a safe, stable place to call home.

The figures below show one example of what dedicated funding could accomplish over 25 years.

WHAT $450M A YEAR COULD MAKE POSSIBLE—TOGETHER

Help

25,000

families

purchase

their

first

homes

People�in more than

7,300 existing homes each year receive ongoing �services �to stay �housed

Pair�Services with

2,000 new homes to help people remain� stably housed

10,000

new affordable�rental homes

give more Minnesotans�a stable,�affordable�place to�call home

Ongoing�rent help for

9,300+ more families to stay �housed and help prevent homelessness

Repair�and preserve

23,000+�affordable�rental homes

to keep people � safely housed

15,500+

new starter�homes put owning�a home within reach for more Minnesotans

Emergency�help to keep

300,000 �households � in their homes

Rental�Opportunity

50% of fund

Housing Stability

25% of fund

Home Ownership

25% of fund

$450M estimated based on recent and projected revenue from Minnesota’s existing 3/8-of-1% Legacy Amendment sales tax.

Our proposals establishes a community council, including frontline organizations and those with lived experience, to make spending recommendations to lawmakers.

Decisions

informed by

lived experience

How do we pass a constitutional amendment for housing?

Advance a winning legislative campaign

​

In Minnesota, a majority of the House and Senate must vote to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Seek voter support with a Ballot Campaign

​

Once legislators agree to let the people vote, we need the support of a majority of all Minnesotans voting at the election - 50%+1 - vote “Yes!” at the polls.

WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE!

3/8 of 1% of state sales tax dedicated to clean water, arts and culture, outdoor heritage, parks and trails.

Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment approved in 2008

Dedicates $300+ million annually to affordable housing.

Colorado voters approve Prop 123 in 2022

Our Future Starts at Home

Sharing Our Stories

• Sharing stories is a critical part of our power
• Sharing stories as part of our advocacy is how we influence decision makers

​

• Pair up and practice: 7 minutes
• Report out: We will ask 2 people to share

A Constitutional Amendment �is necessary to meet our future housing investment needs.

What is your housing story

housing dream or solution?

Taking Action

• What’s at stake in this election
• Minnesota House, Senate, Governor + state offices
• U.S. Senate and Representatives
• Various local offices
• Ensure candidates prioritize housing stability & home

A Constitutional Amendment �is necessary to meet our future housing investment needs.

Contact candidates

Housing Advocacy & Education Resources

Step one: find your legislative district

Step two: find your candidates

Step three: call or email your candidates!

Hello ____, Hi, my name is [Name], and I'm a voter who lives and works in [City/Neighborhood], right in the district you're running to represent.

​

I’m calling because housing affordability and homelessness are some of my top priorities. We need leaders committed to solutions and dedicated funding at a scale that actually meets the need.

​

I’m asking you to complete the 2026 Candidate Housing Questionnaire that was emailed to your campaign. You can also find it directly at mhponline.org. Voters in our community want to know where you stand before we head to the ballot box.

​

Thank you for running, and I’d love to connect further. You can reach me at [Phone Number]. Have a great day!".

Suggested Phone or Email Script

Advocacy Resources

• 2026 Candidate Housing Questionnaire: https://mhponline.org/2026-candidate-housing-questionnaire/
• Our Future Starts at Home Advocacy Toolkit: https://ourhomesmn.org/ (scroll to the bottom to download the advocacy toolkit, flyer, and join our campaign)

A Constitutional Amendment �is necessary to meet our future housing investment needs.

BECAUSE MINNESOTANS, NO MATTER OUR INCOME OR ZIP CODE, BELONG �IN SAFE AND HEALTHY HOMES.

Thank you!

@ourhomesmn