Walz, Flanagan Hear from Seniors, Advocates about Federal Government Shutdown's Impact on Housing in Minnesota

Press Release

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today hosted a roundtable with senior residents, community leaders, and housing advocates at Kings Crossing Apartments to discuss the federal government shutdown's impacts on housing in Minnesota. The current shutdown could impact 28,000 households throughout Minnesota that use Section 8 Assistance.

Federal funding for Section 8 assistance is available through February. However, funding for March is uncertain given the current federal government shutdown. Over 30% of Minnesota seniors (age 65+) are housing cost burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing.

"The Federal Government shutdown is hurting Minnesotans and hitting some of our most vulnerable communities the hardest, said Governor Walz. "Finding housing that is affordable is already a challenge that affects every corner of Minnesota, and the current shutdown threatens to take us backward. I will continue working closely with our state agencies and legislators to monitor this critical situation and determine how Minnesota can help protect our own. "

"As someone whose family benefitted from Section 8 housing, I know firsthand how Minnesota families are impacted when it comes to finding housing that is affordable," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. "We know that housing affects other aspects of our lives, such as education, healthcare, and economic stability. As the shutdown continues, we must ensure Minnesotans have what they need to continue caring for their families."

>"Our homes are the very foundation of our lives: critical to a child's education and success in school, essential to our health and peace of mind, and important to the economic well-being of our families," said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. "The impacts of the federal government shutdown could have serious consequences for families looking for housing that is affordable. We must work together with state leaders to ensure Minnesotans have a safe place to call home."

"First and foremost, we must ensure Minnesotans are informed of how the shutdown could affect their lives," said Metropolitan Council Chair Nora Slawik. "The Metropolitan Council is currently communicating with voucher holders and landlords that their assistance will continue through February--but we're doing everything we can to ensure we have assistance into March, should the shutdown continue. Families searching for housing that is affordable need certainty and assurance that they will have a place to call home."

For a recording of the housing roundtable hosted by Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, visit https://www.facebook.com/GovTimWalz/videos/606051683163183/

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