Affordable Housing

Three of the communities receiving grant funding in this cycle are in Northern Minnesota: Floodwood, Fosston and Deer River.

Two bills aim to expand housing-related infrastructure, including sewers and water lines, and support workforce housing through grants to cities and tribal nations.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Youthbuild program provides construction training opportunities to 600 at-risk youths.

Five Northern Minnesota cities and two tribal nations in the region were selected to receive competitive grants that expand access to affordable housing.

The state funding will help create or preserve housing in Hibbing, Mahnomen, Bemidji, Warren, Grand Rapids and other communities in the region.

The first meeting of the Bemidji Tenants Union on Oct. 9, 2025, covered the structure and a possible name change for the organization that aims to be a voice for the renters living in Bemidji.

The program, established in 2023, helped 600 families become homeowners in the first seven months of its existence, according to Rep. Esther Agbaje, DFL-Minneapolis.

Minnesota has invested money to accelerate affordable housing but project leaders note momentum is slow because of higher interest rates and regulatory issues.

Tamara Lowney of IEDC and Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns discussed rural Minnesota's economy and more ahead of this week's "Sparking Change" conference in Grand Rapids.

Recently awarded a $2.7M state grant, Leech Lake Financial Services' Wealth Creation Model aims to provide affordable housing and spur local workforce development.