Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Wants More Outstate Home Construction

(MNN)  —  The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is asking state lawmakers to encourage more housing construction and renovation in areas outside the Twin Cities. 

Austin city administrator Craig Clark said, ” just to give you all a sense of kind of the scope in Austin, in 2020 we saw only seven single-family homes being constructed.” 

Clark is asking legislators to change tax-increment financing laws to make it easier to redevelop blighted properties. 

The coalition proposes new grants to help Greater Minnesota cities rehabilitate dilapidated homes, plus state funding for necessary infrastructure for new housing developments.