Stable Housing and Homeownership

hundreds of northside families stably housed.

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First Term (2018 - Current)

Big Idea

Together, we addressed some of the most urgent Ward 4 housing needs in my first term.

2017 Campaign promise fulfilled

Dozens of new homes have been built and rehabilitated in Ward 4 and sold at 60-80% AMI (area median income) to eliminate barriers to entry for first-time and first-generation homebuyers. CM Cunningham is changing City policies to make access to housing resources more equitable.

Accomplishments

  • Owning a home is the biggest predictor of both personal and generational wealth. More Ward 4 families now have pathways to homeownership through down payment assistance, financing and educational opportunities through CM Cunningham’s work on the Minneapolis Homes program.

  • CM Cunningham led the creation of the Tenant Relocation Assistance ordinance to ensure that when landlords lose their rental licenses due to negligence renters have the necessary assistance to find and secure a new place to live. 

  • Rising property values and yearly property tax increases in Ward 4 means landlords can charge higher rent. Higher rent means many of our neighbors are further cost-burdened. The result is often that our neighbors get displaced because they can no longer afford to live here. CM Cunningham championed the 4D program’s expansion to include single-family homes to offer tax reduction incentives for Landlords who maintain affordable (at Northsider income) rent to keep families housed.

  • When the heater or other important appliances and structures in the home break down, it can be very expensive. Dozens of Ward 4 landlords have already been able to make critical repairs to their homes through the Emergency Housing Repair ordinance, which CM Cunningham co-authored to help offset these costs.

  • Dozens of Ward 4 families with children have remained housed through CM Cunningham’s collaboration with the Mayor on the Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative.

Next Term (2022 - 2024)

Big Idea

CM Cunningham will continue to protect renters, create homeownership opportunities, bring in mixed-use with multifamily housing development, and fight against increasing property taxes.

Planned Focus Areas

  • Continue to protect vulnerable renters by holding absent property owners accountable through writing policies that require rigorous upkeep standards of properties in order to maintain a rental license.

  • Regulate sales of a Tier 3 and other rental properties with outstanding code violations.

  • Create a licensing and accountability process for property management companies. 

  • Improve housing inspections process to ensure landlords are supported with maintaining safe living conditions for Northside families.

  • Work with the community to develop anti-displacement strategies for Upper Harbor Terminal, which can include financing opportunities, down payment assistance and other resources.

  • Leverage available City-owned lots for owner-occupied missing middle housing development through the Minneapolis Homes program to build family wealth while also creating more available affordable housing options for residents.