Housing First Minnesota has named 24 members of the Minnesota Legislature as recipients of the 2026 Housing Leadership Award, recognizing their leadership and commitment to advancing policies that promote housing affordability, expand housing supply, and increase homeownership opportunities during the 2026 legislative session.
Throughout the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle worked to advance policies that make homeownership more attainable for Minnesota families. A landmark achievement was the passage of legislation preventing local governments from mandating the creation of unnecessary homeowners associations (HOAs) as a condition of new residential development. By ending this unnecessary local mandate, lawmakers helped reduce long-term costs for future homeowners while supporting a more flexible and affordable housing market. Housing First Minnesota’s Housing Leadership Award recognizes legislators who demonstrated leadership on issues critical to increasing housing opportunities across the state.
“Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing issues facing Minnesota families,” said Mark Foster, vice president of legislative and political affairs for Housing First Minnesota. “These legislators demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle, engage on complex housing issues and champion policies that support homeownership opportunities and increase the supply of homes. We thank them for their leadership and commitment to finding solutions.”
2026 Housing Leadership Award Recipients
Minnesota House of Representatives
- Rep. Kristin Bahner (Maple Grove)
- Rep. Dave Baker (Willmar)
- Rep. Nathan Coulter (Bloomington)
- Rep. Jeff Dotseth (Kettle River)
- Rep. Mike Howard (Richfield)
- Rep. Spencer Igo (Wabana Township)
- Rep. Liish Kozlowski (Duluth)
- Rep. Larry Kraft (St. Louis Park)
- Rep. Shane Mekeland (Clear Lake)
- Rep. Jim Nash (Waconia)
- Rep. Kari Rehrauer (Coon Rapids)
Minnesota Senate
- Sen. Liz Boldon (Rochester)
- Sen. Gene Dornink (Brownsdale)
- Sen. Rich Draheim (Madison Lake)
- Sen. Steve Drazkowski (Mazeppa)
- Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen (Glencoe)
- Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger (Woodbury)
- Sen. Karin Housley (Stillwater)
- Sen. Jeff Howe (Rockville)
- Sen. Eric Lucero (St. Michael)
- Sen. Susan Pha (Brooklyn Park)
- Sen. Lindsey Port (Burnsville)
- Sen. Jason Rarick (Pine City)
- Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (Fergus Falls)
Housing First Minnesota annually recognizes legislators who demonstrate leadership on policies that increase housing opportunities, improve affordability and strengthen the state’s housing market. The organization remains committed to working with lawmakers from both parties to advance common-sense housing solutions that make homeownership more attainable for Minnesotans.