Industry groups say Minnesota is short more than 100,000 affordable-housing units to meet demand, and project leaders have said the Trump administration's escalating trade war creates more uncertainty in addressing the critical need.
Last week, the National Association of Home Builders warned the Trump administration's aggressiveness on tariffs could increase the cost of building a home by more than $9,000.
Cecil Smith of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association said it depends on the situation for each project but acknowledged it is possible. He pointed out it adds to the other market forces affordable housing developers are already dealing with.
"We have a lot of uncertainty in the economy right now," Smith observed. "Tariffs are one factor that's making business very nervous."
Minnesota has invested money to accelerate affordable housing but Smith noted momentum is slow because of higher interest rates and regulatory issues. Lawmakers are trying to fix some of the problems this session.
Local unions said they, too, are monitoring tariffs, noting rising costs could scale back available work. The White House insists its approach will pay off for the economy, while acknowledging short-term challenges.
Leah Midgarden, president of the Southeast Area Labor Council of the AFL-CIO in Rochester, said if tariff effects take hold, losing ground on affordable housing would be a problem for the construction trades. She added when a big project comes together, a range of skilled workers contribute, including in the fields of iron, drywall and plumbing.
"All of these trades provide a really important source of income, not just for their workers but more importantly, these are folks that, again, are living in these communities," Midgarden emphasized. "They are spending those resources in those communities."
She warned if a project is canceled, a worker either has to deal with lost income or bolt to another region where there are construction needs, disrupting their personal life.
Kenneth Bush, CEO of Bush Companies, a development company in Rochester, said if tariff pressure does not ease, it could negatively affect a project he's involved with, aiming to create affordable units for middle-class workers.
"The back-and-forth (of tariff threats), the pulling and tugging, is really not going to work for the people," Bush contended.
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A lifelong Crane Laker shows off the area and reflects on the community's history with Voyageurs National Park just before the Crane Lake Visitor Center opens. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEA man impersonating a police officer shot Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times. -
Contributed/Erin HaefeleWhen the garden or farmers market gives you everything at once, the best way to handle it is to return to the fundamentals: roast, grill, bake, pickle, can, dry, freeze and sauté. These aren’t just methods, they’re survival tools during harvest season. Especially grilling. Because it’s summer. And everything tastes better with a little char and a lot of butter.This week, Amy and Heidi talked to Erin Haefele of Green Scene in Walker, Minnesota, "a charming food haven nestled in the heart of rural northern Minnesota where small-town warmth meets big-city sophistication." Erin inspires us with simple preparations to deliciously fresh garden ingredients. And we hear from Amy's friend Beth Friedrichson from Wisconsin, who gushes about dilly beans and life on the farm with chickens and alpacas.Lots of folks phoned in to talk about their harvests, whether it was peonies in Stillwater, garlic near Detroit Lakes, urban front yard CSAs in Minneapolis, potato varieties in Deer River or stuffed grape leaves in Chicago, you had a story to tell. Share yours! This week's community recipe to cook along with us is Onion Pie: kaxe.org/community-recipe-onion-pie-ham-radio-amy-thielen. Give it a try and send us your reactions and photos at comments@kaxe.org!Ham Radio Features original licensed music — "You Know How I Like It" by Jeremy Messersmith.Made possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage Fund. Support KAXE by becoming a member today: https://donate.nprstations.org/kaxe/donate -
And: Brainerd senior Ty Nelson wins a second triple jump title, and Red Lake County will play for a baseball title Saturday.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEEntrepreneurs shaped downtown more than 100 years ago near the Lake Bemidji waterfront. Members of the Bemidji Heritage Preservation are committed to sharing their stories. -
Contributed/Frazee Hornet Baseball via FacebookRain made for an interesting end to the baseball season for many Class A teams Thursday. Grand Rapids lost in the 3A consolation championship. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThree of the four Republicans voted in favor of rescinding funding already allocated for public media organizations through the CPB and four Democrats voted against. -
Emily John PhotographyKAXE responds to the House vote to rescind public media funding and urges the Senate to protect trusted local news, emergency alerts and community programming in Northern Minnesota. -
Nicole Neri/Minnesota ReformerAlthough education spending will increase, school districts will notice cuts to state aid for special education, school libraries and student supports like counselors and nurses. -
Contributed/Pequot Lakes High School via FacebookBrainerd senior Ty Nelson won another triple jump title Thursday, June 12, 2025, as Northern Minnesota 2A and 3A teams collectively won 88 medals at the state track and field meet.
