Homes for All Blog

#Bonds4Housing Twitterstorm 7/7/2020

Advocates, it’s time for another Twitterstorm! Unfortunately, the Legislature adjourned the special session in June without advancing important housing bills. Right now, lawmakers are negotiating bonding targets for the next special session in July. A Twitterstorm is a great way for us to take action and build momentum for Homes for All during a special session, even with the physical restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s make sure housing is part of the bonding bill. 

WHAT IS A TWITTERSTORM?

A Twitterstorm is simply a short period of time during which advocates join together to send a high volume of tweets on a specific topic. We will prepare tweets for you (found below) and you can copy and paste them throughout the hour, or schedule your tweets in advance. You can also create your own tweets and use the hashtags below to keep us together. Please retweet and “favorite” tweets as they are sent out, even if they are tweets you’ve posted already! 

The goal of this Twitterstorm is to build momentum around a bonding bill that includes housing in the legislative special session. 

We’ll do this by:

• Favoriting, retweeting, and posting the prepared tweets for the full hour
• Tagging the following lawmakers in our tweets: @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt @GovTimWalz @LtGovFlanagan @DSenjem
• Using the following hashtags in your tweets: #Homes4AllMN; #mnleg; #Bonds4Housing; 

DETAILS:

What: Twitterstorm to build momentum around passing a bonding bill that includes housing in the legislative special session
When: Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Time: 11am – 12pm
Where: Twitter – @Homes4AllMN
Hashtags/Tags:  #Homes4AllMN #Bonds4Housing #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt @GovTimWalz @LtGovFlanagan

SAMPLE TWEETS to Copy/Paste*:

* We also encourage you to create your own original content and Tweets. Here is a link to Homes for All’s YouTube channel. There are a number of short videos from the Zoom rally earlier this spring. Feel free to include these video clips in your Tweets.

• We need #Bonds4Housing. Please pass a bonding bill that includes housing now this special session. #mnleg #Homes4AllMN @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• More than half a million Minnesota families pay more than they can afford for homes, and that number is continuing to grow. We need #Bonds4Housing #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• Safe and secure public housing is an essential part of the housing continuum. #Bonds4Housing will allow us to repair and modernize Minnesota’s public housing so residents can live safely and with dignity. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• Housing is a social justice issue. The 2018 Wilder survey found that African Americans, American Indians & LGBTQ youth are especially over-represented in MN’s homeless population. We need #Bonds4Housing so ALL Minnesotans have access to affordable housing. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• Due to the impacts of COVID-19, even more MN households are struggling financially. We need investments to affordable and dignified housing to keep Minnesotans stably housed. #Bonds4Housing @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• State bonding is a vital tool that provides housing across MN, while also creating jobs, economic development, & stability for our most vulnerable populations, including seniors, children, & individuals with disabilities. #mnleg

• Thousands are experiencing housing vulnerability, and shelters are at capacity. Please support #Bonds4Housing during the special session. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @GovTimWalz @LtGovFlanagan @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• Housing is a workers’ rights issue. Almost a third of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness are employed, and 13% work full-time. We need #Bonds4Housing to support Minnesota’s working families. #mnleg #Homes4AllMN

• We need to continue to prioritize bonding investments to address the lack of affordable housing and shelters across the state. Pls support #Bonds4Housing during special session. #mnleg #Homes4AllMN @GovTimWalz @LtGovFlanagan

• Please be bold and support the continuum of safe and quality housing. Pass a bonding bill that includes #Bonds4Housing. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg #Bonds4Housing @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• Thank you for your past leadership and support. Don’t stop now — please support #Bonds4Housing during the special session. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @GovTimWalz @LtGovFlanagan

• To make our communities strong, we need Homes for All. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg #Bonds4Housing @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt @GovTimWalz @LtGovFlanagan

• We need your leadership for safe, affordable homes in Minnesota. Please support a bonding bill during the special session that includes #Bonds4Housing #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• Where we live impacts everything and Minnesotans will thrive when everyone has a safe, accessible, and dignified place to call home. Pls pass #Bonds4Housing. #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt

• It’s not too late! Please support safe and affordable housing by funding #Bonds4Housing during the special session. #mnleg @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @KDaudt 

• The need for housing is significant & growing. More than 1 in 4 households in MN pays more than they can afford for housing. To keep pace with demand, we need an additional 10k units of housing each year. Please prioritize #Bonds4Housing NOW! @DSenjem @PaulGazelka @MelissaHortman

• #Bonds4Housing is responsible investment. We know you want to make smart investment decisions. Housing is a huge need, and it needs to be part of any bonding package that comes out of a special session. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg #Bonds4Housing @DSenjem @PaulGazelka @MelissaHortman

• Our population is growing faster than our housing market. To keep up with demand, MN will need 10k new units each year. That’s why we need #Bonds4Housing – to jumpstart new construction & increase our housing supply. @DSenjem @PaulGazelka @MelissaHortman

• #Bonds4Housing creates jobs. Housing development projects create jobs for hundreds of workers. Bonding dollars also help build workforce housing, which workers and businesses need to thrive. #Homes4AllMN #mnleg @DSenjem @PaulGazelka @MelissaHortman @SusanKentMN

• Housing is the foundation for everything else in our lives. When people have access to safe, stable, & affordable housing: children excel in school, workers earn, seniors thrive, & communities prosper. #Bonds4Housing #Homes4AllMN @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @DSenjem

• @LarsonforDuluth speaking the truth. Support #Bonds4Housing now, and ensure that EVERY Minnesotan has a roof over their head and a place to call home. @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @DSenjem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7bHXV2t_Gk

• Thank you, Rome Darring, for your leadership. @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @DSenjem – we need your leadership, too. Please step up and refuse to end special session without passing #Bonds4Housing. #Homes4AllMN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_4j8nRpwvs

• Housing is the foundation for success. Thank you, Deb, for sharing your story. @PaulGazelka @SusanKentMN @MelissaHortman @DSenjem please pass #Bonds4Housing and ensure #Homes4AllMN for ALL Minnesotans. #mnleg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00HQWvsD2lg

Contact Julia Hobart if you have questions: julia.hobart@tchabitat.org

Twitterstorm Co-Hosts

@Homes4AllMN

@cctwincitiesorg

@HOME_Line

@ClareHousing

@Semcac

@P_S_P

@PPLTwinCities

@BridgeforYouth

@SolidGroundMN

@BelieveInHome

@LSSofMN

@chumduluth

@HabitatMN

@OYHmn

@AllianceHsg

@simpson_housing

@aeonmn

@WilderFdtn

@MNHomelessCo

@followmhp

@MinnCAP

@AvivoMN

@AvenuesforYouth

@CommonBondComm

@tchabitat

@JRLCmn

Unfortunately, the Legislature adjourned the special session without advancing important housing bills. Right now, lawmakers are negotiating bonding targets for the next special session in July.

We need all housing advocates, including you, to send legislators a message to get the job done NOW and pass bills to support housing for Minnesotans. 

Please click here and send an email to legislators with your support now.

We need our lawmakers to take legislative action before more people lose their homes and that a special session must include passing housing bonds. 

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy.

Homes for All Co-Chairs
Pastor Sue, Paul, Anne, and Rhonda

Our lawmakers are hard at work right now for the Special Session, and we need to elevate housing until the end. Our goal for this action alert is for each advocate to customize their email explaining why housing is important to you and your community.

If you are able to customize your message, please do so at the very beginning of the email. For ideas and inspiration on what to write, you can watch this video of highlights from our H4A Virtual Rally or read about H4A’s priorities here.

Ready to take action?

Please click here and send an email to legislators with your support now.
 

As you know, Sunday (5/18) was the end of the 2020 legislative session. Together, we accomplished so much, but there is still so much to do. The Homes for All coalition hopes to continue do build off the incredible momentum we have to secure investments to support statewide shelter needs and the development and preservation of affordable housing.

At the start of the 2020 legislative session the coalition was focused on securing $500 million in bonding investments to support the development and preservation of affordable housing and shelters. In mid-March as the COVID-19 crisis became an increasing concern, the coalition pivoted to emergency preparedness and response efforts. Homes for All advocated for increased funding and policy changes to help support outreach staff, shelters and those experiencing homelessness. The Minnesota legislature allocated $32 million to help.

Additionally, the coalition led advocacy efforts in support of a statewide eviction moratorium to help Minnesota households maintain their housing stability during the COVID-19 crisis. The Governor signed Executive Order 20-14 at the end of March halting all evictions during the peacetime emergency. Because many households have either lost jobs, had income or hours reduced the threat of eviction for non-payment of rent has been higher than ever before. In response the coalition has advocated for $100 million in housing assistance for the FHPAP program, which both the Governor and legislature have now expressed support.

Unfortunately, emergency housing assistance funding, legislation extending the eviction moratorium and investments in bonds for housing did not make it across the finish line before the end of the 2020 legislative session. We expect the legislature to reconvene for a special session on June 12^th and request that housing be a priority.

Below are talking points on where the Homes for All coalition stands. If your organization has a different perspective, please make that clear when talking with lawmakers. If you have any questions, please reach out to Policy Co-Chairs Libby and Kari — libby.murphy@mhponline.org & kjohnson@mccdmn.org

• Homes for All continues to advocate for $100 million in housing assistance funding and policy alignment on the eviction moratorium that aligns with the federal CARES Act timeline on halting evictions (end of July + 30 day grace period).
   
• The coalition continues to advocate for at least $200M in HIB and $100M in GO, and an additional $25M for Shelter Capital. This includes two new uses the coalition supports on its agenda for shelter capital needs and deeper affordability. The coalition remains neutral on other new uses.
   
• Deeper affordability – This would be the only state resource that targets households at or below 50% AMI – this is where there is the greatest gap in units available and affordable. Often families and individuals are forced into a traumatic experience of homelessness in order to get into housing (with supportive services, because that is all that is available) or they have to double up with friends or family. 
  • Currently, the multifamily market is producing roughly 8,400 units for households at or above 50% AMI whereas only 400 units for households at or below 50% AMI. To meet the demand for households at or below 50% AMI, we need to create nearly 4,500 new units/year. The need is especially acute for households at or below 30% AMI. There is a supply gap of nearly 65,100. There are a supply and available gap of nearly 113,000 units.
     
• $25 million to Shelter Capital – 80 out of 87 counties in Minnesota don’t have enough beds to meet the need. In the past 3 years the unsheltered homeless populations have grown 62% and shelters are at capacity. The coalition has never advocated for the development of shelter, preferring to put limited resources towards permanent housing, but the needs are too great. We have seen this highlighted with COVID-19 and too many people crammed into too tight of spaces. Shelters are doing the best they can.

Again, please reach out with any clarifying questions: libby.murphy@mhponline.org  and kjohnson@mccdmn.org

Time is running out on this legislative session, so it’s more important than ever for us to urge our lawmakers to prioritize bonds for housing! Watch the videos below from Homes for All Co-Chair Allison Streich and Policy Co-Chair Kari Johnson to learn more about why investing in bonds for housing is so important for Minnesota’s future. Then take action by following this link to let your legislators know that Minnesota needs bonding to support our housing infrastructure. Calling or emailing takes just a minute but makes a big impact, so take action today!

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