Representative Howard presents $400 million housing infrastructure bond bill; advocates urge funding to address statewide shortfall

Chair John Howard (Representative Howard) presented House File 1141 to the Capital Investment Committee on March 25, proposing $400 million in housing infrastructure bonds to expand affordable housing across Minnesota.

"This is our tool, to provide thousands of units," Howard said, arguing the HIB mechanism is the state's "bread and butter" for housing capital. He told the committee that more than 600,000 Minnesotans are cost burdened (paying over 30% of income on housing) and that demand substantially outstrips available funding.

Kelly Law of the Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers testified in support and said the state is short by more than 100,000 units, and that recent projects for people with substance use disorder and other supportive housing would not have been built without HIBs. "By passing House file 11 41 and authorizing new housing infrastructure bonds this session, we can address Minnesota's housing shortfall," she said.

Howard framed the bill as part of a broader financing strategy: while general fund base investments are also needed, HIBs provide leverage and a large pool of capital that can match federal and local resources. The bill was heard on an informational basis; no committee vote or amendment was taken at this hearing.

Committee members asked about debt-service implications and the balance between HIBs and base funding for housing. Howard said the state should pursue both approaches and warned that deferring investment will increase long-term costs.

The bill will proceed through informational hearings and potential markup in later committee sessions.