The Housing Landscape

Across the United States, the housing crisis has been one of the foremost issues for Americans. Affordability, housing supply, and accessibility for our most vulnerable communities have only shown us the deep structural inequalities that exist and have exacerbated other issues across the nation. Housing is more than shelter; it is a foundation for stability. Housing is a core facet of life, and having access to safe and affordable housing can help individuals and families pursue education, maintain employment, and participate fully in their communities. For millions of Americans, rising housing costs and stagnant wages have made access to stable and affordable housing more difficult. The Twin Cities Metro area is not exempt from this crisis. 

The Role of Human Rights 

Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, housing and an adequate standard of life are repeatedly enumerated as rights for all humans. Public housing authorities like The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA), have faced increasing funding cuts that have only worsened under the current federal administration. MPHA relies heavily on federal funding through programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and has faced several funding cuts. This forces these organizations to stretch resources and maintain aging housing infrastructure, which only leaves thousands of residents in poor living conditions.  

Grassroots Mobilization

Many think that the solutions to this crisis exist solely on Capitol Hill or in various boardrooms, but community organizations and grassroots changemakers are often the driving force behind real change in the fight for housing justice. Organizations like the Housing Justice Center and Beacon InterFaith Housing Collective have set strong examples of how important it is for everyday community members to lead the charge for affordable and safe housing for all. Even on the University of Minnesota campus, student leaders have consistently stepped up and have enumerated their concerns to university administration and local legislators. The University Student Senate has passed multiple resolutions related to basic needs, and has urged the university to expand resources and support systems for students struggling with affordability in the Twin Cities. This only proves how valuable community organizers are when it comes to advocating for federal issues. 

Previous and Current Legislation

Minnesota has also been at the forefront when it comes to passing legislation on the state and federal level that would alleviate the stresses for vulnerable communities. U.S. Senator Tina Smith has introduced aspirational legislation this session to provide additional funding to housing authorities across the nation. Meanwhile,on the state level, Senator Omar Fateh and Representative Micheal Howard have introduced a bill that would aim at increasing housing supply by reducing local zoning restrictions on starter homes, townhomes, and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). These efforts have demonstrated that some of the Minnesota lawmakers have the interests of their constituents in mind when battling this human rights crisis. It’s important to note that community organizers have played a crucial role in advocating for these bills on the state and federal level, only proving the importance of community mobilization. 

What’s Next? 

Ultimately, addressing the housing crisis requires recognizing housing as a fundamental human need and, increasingly, as a human rights issue. Stable housing should not be a privilege available only to those with the highest incomes. Instead, it should be part of a broader commitment to economic opportunity, community stability, and social equity.

If community organizers want to meaningfully confront the housing crisis, we must align federal investment with locally informed solutions. Only by combining the two can we actually build a housing system that works for everyone. 

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are the author’s only and do not reflect an official position of the University of Minnesota, the Human Rights Program, or the College of Liberal Arts. As an institution of higher education that values and promotes free speech, civil discourse, and human rights, we welcome a variety of perspectives and opinions from our student contributors that are consistent with these values.