Retired Subcategories: State Advocacy

Arizona Department of Housing:
Creation of New Governor's Council on Housing

Some societal problems are so large and widespread, they simply cannot be solved by a single voice or decision maker. Such is the case with the affordable housing crisis that currently exists in Arizona and across the Nation. To identify and implement solutions, a collaborative, team approach is needed, and that belief is what led to the re-creation of the Governor’s Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing (GICCHH; rhymes with ‘KICK’).

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority:
Rent Reporting for Credit Pilot Program

CHFA was named to oversee the state’s Rent Reporting for Credit Pilot Program. The Program enrolled landlords and tenants to take part in reporting rent payments to credit bureaus to combat credit invisibility and assist underserved households in establishing and building credit. The pilot was successful, recruiting a diverse group of tenants and coming in under the allocated budget. Participating tenants saw an average credit score increase of 80 points.

MaineHousing:
Bringing Home The Bacon

In the 131st Maine Legislature, MaineHousing, along with its allies and partners, secured a record $146 million in state funding aimed at significantly improving affordable housing opportunities in Maine.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development:
Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s 2024 Housing Package

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development worked with Governor Wes Moore to produce the most comprehensive legislative housing package in recent state history to address Maryland’s 96,000 housing unit shortage and its effects on housing affordability. Through strategic, proactive outreach, the bills received widespread support from local elected officials and advocates, leading to all three pieces of legislation passing the Maryland General Assembly and being signed into law.

MassHousing:
Massachusetts Community Climate Bank

In June of 2023, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced the creation of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank (MCCB) and her decision to locate the MCCB at MassHousing. This is the nation’s first green bank dedicated to affordable housing. The Governor’s decision to locate the MCCB within MassHousing is an acknowledgement of her confidence in the Agency and its unique expertise in the lending field.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority:
Leveraging Innovative New Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Tool to Build and Rehabilitate More Housing

To increase the supply of workforce housing, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority supported out-of-box advocacy to help address Michigan’s housing crisis. It pushed the state Legislature for, and through an amendment to the Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act, set the stage for a Housing Tax Increment Financing Program that expands eligible activities to include housing assistance and housing development.

Minnesota Housing:
Going Big with Resources, Elected Officials and Coalitions

Minnesota Housing’s mantra, Let’s Go Big so All Minnesotans Can Go Home, was met in 2023 with 1.3B in investments, the largest single housing investment in state history and about 10 times the typical allocation. The package was built to meet housing needs across the state. It had programs to address rental housing, homeownership and housing stability needs while prioritizing closing disparities, assisting lowest-income Minnesotans and underserved geographies while achieving bipartisan support.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency:
A Tax Credit to Increase Single Family Housing Stock

The Single Family Housing Tax Credit leverages public-private partnerships to increase the inventory of affordable single-family housing for Ohio's growing workforce. It provides $50 million per year for 4 years to fill the financing gap to develop or substantially rehabilitate single family housing in Ohio. OHFA advocated for the program in the legislature and with stakeholder groups to ensure they knew how the program would increase housing stock in their communities.

Rhode Island Housing:
Multi-channel SFRF Legislative Campaign

RIHousing's ongoing engagement and advocacy efforts have helped pave the way to successful allocation and investment of SFRF resources to address the severe shortage of affordable housing in Rhode Island. Utilizing a number of tools and communication channels, we worked to engage key legislators to appropriate funding and provide transparency to the General Assembly and larger public on the impact of SFRF.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority:
Being the Bridge: Coalition, Communication, and Compromises on the Bipartisan Housing Package

In just five months, WHEDA's Legislative Program engaged in an unprecedented campaign to develop solutions to address Wisconsin’s affordable housing crisis, fueled by a bipartisan group of legislators and a tight coalition working in unison. Through legislative analysis, relationship building, material generation, and testimony presentation, WHEDA successfully pushed legislation forward to create four new revolving loan programs, funded through a historic $525 million investment from the state.