Dayton Creates Affordable Housing Task Force

Governor Mark Dayton announced Thursday, December 21, that he is establishing a special task force to delve into the lack of affordable housing throughout Minnesota. According to his administration, more than 554,000 Minnesota households are unable to afford homes.

"Housing is one of these persistent crisis in Minnesota for so many individual families that can't find affordable housing to either own, buy or rent, and ironically it has been exasperated by the economic growth we have realized over the last couple of years," Dayton said. Factors, he cited, include stagnate wages for lower income workers during periods of rising rental and housing costs.

The administration released figures that some efforts have been successful. According to a press release, more than $5 billion dollars in public and private investments has aided about 325,000 low and moderate-income households. The task force will be charged with submitting recommendations, as soon as July 31, that can be implemented through executive and legislative action. The task force will include 15 core members and 13 ex-officio members from the housing, nonprofit, financial, business and government sectors.

Following the announcement, Governor Dayton answered a variety of question, including several regarding Senate President Michelle Fischbach's new position as Lieutenant Governor. Dayton said that he would not call a special election until he received a letter of resignation from Fischbach, who previously has said that she intends to hold both positions.