Recently, the Star Tribune published multiple stories focused on affordable housing.
One story highlighted the Metropolitan Council’s Metro HRA leadership on building stronger relationships between residents and property owners for federal Section 8 vouchers. By using mobility counselors, Metro HRA is finding success in providing more opportunity and access to education and other communities for voucher holders, in partnership with apartment managers.
The other article detailed an ordinance advanced by Minneapolis City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden. It would require every apartment building to accept federal vouchers that require additional inspections and bureaucracy. It would unfortunately lead to unintended consequences, making it harder to rent in Minneapolis.
The news coverage illustrates the complexity of trying to solve affordable housing challenges — with the right approach by the Met Council and the wrong approach by Council Member Glidden.