For more than 50 years, CommonBond has worked to build stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities.
Every day, we advance this mission by providing affordable housing and life-enhancing services to residents across more than 100 housing communities. We also know that this work must be paired with systems-level change.
Despite the challenges of the 2026 Minnesota legislative session—a tied House, the pressures of upcoming elections, the lingering grief and trauma from last summer’s violence, and the demands of maintaining a balanced budget—CommonBond joined fellow advocates to secure three significant wins this session. These victories represent real progress: strengthening resident stability, expanding access to holistic supportive services, and investing in the creation of homes Minnesotans can afford. They happened because we wrote letters, added our name to sign-ons, testified at the Capitol, met with lawmakers, and spoke press conferences.
Thank you for engaging with us throughout this legislative session to help make this progress possible. Your calls and emails to lawmakers, your support of CommonBond, and your belief in this work have been instrumental in driving meaningful change.
Policy Priorities and Wins
$13 million investment in Minnesota’s supportive housing system
As part of the Sustain the Gain campaign, CommonBond helped to secure $13 million in state funding for supportive housing. Supportive housing is a proven model that combines affordable housing with wraparound services to foster long-term stability for residents with the greatest needs.
With uncertainty surrounding federal Continuum of Care funding, providers face potential disruptions to critical services. This state investment helps fill that gap, ensuring continuity of care for residents.
$40 million increase for emergency rental assistance through FHPAP
Preventing homelessness before it starts is just as important as providing ongoing support. In partnership with affordable housing organizations and advocates with lived experience, CommonBond advocated for a $40 million in funding for the state’s Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP).
FHPAP connects Minnesotans at risk of eviction with emergency rental assistance and services. This year has demonstrated how quickly housing instability can increase and how demand for assistance can outpace available resources. This investment is a critical step toward ensuring that more households can access the support they need to remain stably housed.
$100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs)
CommonBond also prioritized expanding financial tools that make affordable housing development possible. Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs) are a vital resource used to fund the creation and preservation of affordable homes—but they require legislative approval.
Through public testimony and direct engagement with policymakers, CommonBond advocated for $100 million in new HIB authority. This hard-won investment represents one of the most effective pathways to increasing the supply of affordable housing across Minnesota.
As our state’s housing crisis deepens, we remain committed to leveraging tools like HIBs to create accessible, stable communities for all—families, veterans, and seniors alike.
We are inspired by the impact these policy wins will have on the strength and vibrancy of our communities. While this legislative session has concluded, our work continues. We are already preparing for the next session—working to elevate resident voices, deepen partnerships with lawmakers, and ensure that upcoming funding from Minnesota Housing is deployed strategically to meet the urgent need for affordable housing.
Together, we look forward to continuing this work and advancing lasting, systems-level change for our neighbors across Minnesota.
