Building Hope from the Capitol: My Day at Habitat on the Hill

Last week, I joined fellow advocates from across the state for Habitat on the Hill, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s annual day of advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol. It was a powerful experience—one rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

Throughout the day, I had the opportunity to meet directly with both my Senate and House representatives to speak about the importance of affordable homeownership in Minnesota. I shared my belief, shaped by our Unitarian Universalist values and our church’s commitment to justice and equity, that housing is more than a need—it’s a foundation for opportunity, dignity, and thriving communities.

In these meetings, my neighbors and I urged lawmakers to prioritize legislation that addresses Minnesota’s severe racial homeownership gap and the ongoing housing crisis. Specifically, I advocated for:

• Increased investment in affordable home supply through the Challenge Fund (HF2865), Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HF1141), and other critical funding tools.
• Equitable access via the First Generation Down Payment Assistance Program (HF999)—a key step in addressing historic disparities.
• Stability and security for homeowners, including support for HECAT (HF1879), HOA reforms (HF1268), and a proposed insurance market stabilization task force (HF2228).
• Support for funding The Heights, a transformational redevelopment project on St. Paul’s East Side, through Housing Infrastructure Bonds HF2549 and Omnibus Funding Package HF2445/SF2298, which would help create deeply affordable homeownership opportunities and community investment.  

Each of these policies offers a concrete way to make homeownership more accessible and sustainable for Minnesotans.

Advocacy days like this remind me of the power we have when we show up—faithfully and persistently—to speak for what is right. As a member of First Universalist and a Habitat volunteer, it felt meaningful to bring our shared values into the halls of the Capitol, working toward a future where every person has the opportunity to build a better life through affordable homeownership.

You can help too! Twin Cities Habitat has made it easy to contact your elected officials and advocate for these critical policies. Take just two minutes to send a message: