Minnesota House approves bipartisan housing package to build thousands of new homes

The Minnesota House passed a bipartisan housing supplemental (House File 11‑41) providing a package of housing investments aimed at increasing production and preserving affordability across the state. Sponsors emphasized that the measure is budget‑neutral and is funded primarily from interest earnings and repurposed bond proceeds.

Key elements include an authorization for Housing Infrastructure Bonds estimated to unlock roughly 1,000+ new homes statewide, a $20 million appropriation focused on Greater Minnesota workforce housing, and targeted investments including homeowner education and a senior homesharing pilot. The bill also directs unspent settlement funds toward homelessness assistance and includes reporting and transparency measures designed to track interest earnings and prioritization for projects ready to proceed.

Supporters said the program will spur production ‘border to border’ and benefit both metro and greater Minnesota. Rep. Howard, speaker for the bill, said the investments are intended to be budget neutral by using previously appropriated interest earnings and to provide accountability via reporting back to the housing committee chairs.

The House adopted several amendments and tested multiple proposals on the floor; final passage was recorded at 99 yays to 34 nays.