Central Minnesota Builders Association Backs Legislation for Affordable Housing Solutions

(KNSI) — The Central Minnesota Builders Association is throwing its support behind a piece of legislation aimed at addressing the lack of housing and the high cost of new construction.

A coalition of housing advocates and bipartisan lawmakers joined together at the State Capitol to call for an increase in access and affordability in housing through the Minnesotans for More Homes initiative.

The bill (HF 4009/SF 3964) legalizes missing middle housing and new starter homes across Minnesota. A CMBA statement says, “Research from Pew Research Center illustrates that legalizing more housing choices and lifting exclusionary zoning policies can provide critically needed workforce affordable housing, increase inventory, and fight housing inflation.”

It would impose no mandates on cities, property owners, renters, builders, or developers, bans exclusionary policies and lifts unfunded mandates placed on buyers and renters. The statement says, “The bill adds to housing choices and strengthens property rights by allowing property owners, not the government, to select housing options and amenities. By placing guardrails on local zoning powers, communities can grow in a more sustainable manner while also addressing our housing affordability, inventory, and equity crises.”

CMBA executive director Wanda Schroeder said, “The best way to address these issues is to lift roadblocks to the construction of new housing and eliminate unfunded mandates placed on buyers and renters. This legislation will empower individuals and help meet the critical need for workforce affordable housing by supporting property rights over government mandates.”

Opponents say if passed, it could weaken local control over housing and increase costs for infrastructure such as water and sewer.

The bill is not in its final form yet but has passed out of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.

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