Last week, commentary from advocates for the Starter Homes Act was published in The Minnesota Star Tribune, once again pushing claims that this preemptive, one-size-fits-all bill would solve the housing crisis statewide and that local authority is the primary impediment. As our members know, that is not the case. This legislation would substitute the judgment of legislators and unaccountable developers for that of city officials and local residents regarding the future development of our cities, and fails to address the real challenges our communities face.
In response, mayors of CGMC member cities and others from across the state penned a guest column emphasizing that overriding local zoning won’t create affordable housing and will instead undermine efforts already underway to address housing needs. This piece expertly lays out the case against the Starter Homes Act, strongly urging lawmakers to reject the consolidation of power and actively partner with city officials, communities, and stakeholders on real housing solutions that meet the unique needs of our cities. Thank you to our members who contributed to this column!
