The Opportunity Starts at Home multisector affordable homes campaign is pleased to announce a new state-based campaign, the Minnesota Chapter of Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH-MN). The Minnesota Chapter was selected through the campaign’s “Endorsement Application,” which enables state-level organizations pursuing multi-sector housing policy efforts to earn a formal endorsement from the national campaign. The application was led by NLIHC state partner the Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP).
OSAH-MN is supported by Homes for All MN and MHP and is working to broaden its housing coalition to include healthcare, education, civil rights, and anti-poverty. These multi-sector partnerships will influence national policymakers who represent the state to advance more robust and equitable federal housing policies. In its application, OSAH-MN demonstrated a strong track record of bringing non-housing groups into the work of housing advocacy and a readiness to engage its federal delegation around the campaign’s federal policy priorities.
The Minnesota Chapter will be joining other state-based campaigns in California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Utah. Together, they will participate in peer-to-peer learning and gain access to resources, networks, and technical assistance from the national campaign.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Minnesota Chapter of OSAH,” said national campaign director Mike Koprowski. “The Minnesota Chapter has been doing a great job bringing a diverse array of sectors to join in the movement for affordable homes. This partnership will accelerate our collective efforts to advance increased federal housing resources for the lowest income people.”
"Minnesota’s Opportunity Starts at Home campaign reflects the deep understanding of how essential housing is to our community’s infrastructure and strength,” said Anne Mavity, executive director of the Minnesota Housing Partnership. “Our partners recognize that success in mental health, health disparities, and building strong communities are grounded in safe, accessible, affordable housing. This campaign will align our efforts among stakeholders in Minnesota to advance housing policies and investments at the federal level.”
“Now more than ever, housing is health care,” said Wendy Underwood, vice president of social justice advocacy and engagement at Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “As the gap between safe, affordable housing and incomes continues to grow, a significant and coordinated cross-sector effort is needed to advance policy solutions and increase federal investments to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability. We are proud to partner with Opportunity Starts at Home to accelerate action on policy priorities that will serve those most in need.”
“OSAH-MN aligns the efforts of multi-sector organizations in Minnesota to advance policy and promote change in housing to create more equitable opportunities,” said Ann Henderson, LICSW, executive director of Mental Health Resources. “Access to safe, affordable housing is vital to the overall health and well-being of the individuals and families in our communities. This campaign shines a spotlight on these disparities and provides a cohesive platform for furthering the work in addressing them. MHR is a proud member of OSAH-MN.”
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