From the President

The Strength of Your Association

Spring has been busy for our association and for our industry. The strength of our programs has been on display all season long. Our nation-leading programs in green building, marketing events, industry advocacy, and the charitable work of our Foundation has been outstanding!

Minnesota’s Green Path Program Earth Day was a day to celebrate the quality and performance of the homes constructed by our industry. Our homes rank No. 1 in energy efficiency among major states using the HERS. This accomplishment belongs to our entire industry, including our builders, remodelers, suppliers, and trade partners who help bring safe, durable, and efficient homes to Minnesotans.

Spring Parade of Homes, Remodelers Showcase, and $10K Giveaway Our Spring Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase events connected homeowners with our industry members in another successful tour event. The events featured our new Parade of Homes First-Time Homebuyer $10K Giveaway. The participation in the new contest was exceptional, and we awarded four $10K grants to first-time homebuyers. We thank our generous donors and look forward to following our winners on their homeownership journey!

Industry Advocacy This spring kept our advocacy team busy at the Capitol defending our industry against new affordability roadblocks. We were successful in halting new impact fees, expansion of park fees, and a host of energy-related mandates that were proposed as requirements outside of the traditional code process. Industry defense often occurs below the radar, but it’s vitally important for our industry to halt these ideas before they become law.

The legislature also advanced zoning modernization proposals to the final stages of the legislative process. Housing First Minnesota was a leading advocate for these changes, which would have lifted some of the major roadblocks impacting our market’s supply of affordably priced homes. While these provisions got stalled out in the final collapse of the major budget bills, we are pleased at the growing coalition that has joined our efforts to modernize how we approve housing in Minnesota.

Foundation Gala Success Many of you attended and supported our Foundation Gala in late May—what a great night! Most importantly, through industry generosity we raised money that will help our Foundation continue its incredible work to address homelessness in Minnesota.

Looking Ahead Our busy spring is leading into an equally busy summer for Housing First Minnesota. Our Artisan Home Tour kicked off our summer activities, and we look forward to our annual Golf outing and chances to connect with our fellow industry members. We are also engaged in the 2022 elections, where the entire legislature and governor will be on the ballot in the fall. Housing will be a major issue for our elected officials to address and we will be working with candidates to identify housing champions who support our industry. And before we know it, it will be time for the Fall Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase!

I want to thank all Housing First Minnesota members for their support of our association and our programs. We are truly a big tent and the great start to 2022 is a result of all of us pulling together as an industry!

JAMES JULKOWSKI

2022 HOUSING FIRST MINNESOTA PRESIDENT