Housing First Minnesota, the state’s leading voice for housing, has recognized Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville) and Rep. Michael Howard (DFL-Richfield) as recipients of the 2024 Legislator of the Year awards. The honor recognizes legislators for their efforts in promoting housing affordability and homeownership opportunities for everyone, everywhere.
“During the 2024 legislative session we saw the most important land-use and zoning discussions in a generation,” said Mark Foster, vice president of legislative & political affairs. “We thank Senator Port and Representative Howard for their tireless efforts to move towards allowing for more homeownership opportunities for all Minnesotans.”
As Chair of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee, Senator Port advocated for bipartisan solutions to addressing Minnesota’s housing deficit and affordability woes. She chief authored and co-authored numerous bills that would make the needed changes to the way housing developments are approved across the state.
During the 2024 legislative session, Chair Howard highlighted the broad support for the “Minnesotans for More Homes” agenda. He worked with members of both parties to champion important legislative initiatives that would allow for the creation of a much greater variety of homes, including smaller starter homes on smaller lots. Howard was also instrumental in revising the “Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan,” which laid the groundwork for future land use and zoning legislation.
The awards were presented to the legislators in October during Housing First Minnesota’s annual Building Industry Gala at Mystic Lake Center. The event celebrates the housing industry and recognizes industry members for their excellence in building and remodeling homes for Minnesotans.
Housing First Minnesota, the voice of homebuilders, remodelers, trade partners and homeowners, seeks to provide the opportunity for homeownership for everyone, everywhere. Its over 900 member builders, remodelers, developers and suppliers throughout the state are dedicated to building safe, durable homes at a price Minnesotans can afford.
Photos available upon request by contacting Katie Elfstrom, Katie@housingfirstmn.org.