Advocacy Updates

Here is the advocacy update for the month of July! The Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors® (SPAAR) Advocacy Report goes out each month and is our one-stop-shop for everything related to Government Affairs throughout SPAAR's jurisdiction.

July 2025 Updates

East Metro News

SPAAR's President, Jennifer Livingston, was interview by KARE-TV about the state of housing affordability in the Twin Cities.
August 12 marks the Saint Paul Ward 4 special election. Find out how to cast your vote for that race.
Saint Paul has reopened its Citywide Down-Payment Assistance and Inheritance Fund programs.
The Saint Paul Highland Bridge development continues to make progress (subscription).
Minnwest Bank sold another downtown Saint Paul building formerly owned by Madison Equities (subscription). Another former Madison Equities property, the Lowry Apartments, could become senior housing or a reinvigorated apartment building.
The Woodbury public safety campus is getting a $60 million renovation.
Maplewood's former golf course is slated for a new 207-home development (subscription).
Washington County officials are working on a Climate Action Plan, and they are asking county residents to weigh in.

Source: www.spaar.com

South Metro News

Burnsville is proposing a new entertainment complex on land that is classified as "contaminated" by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
A Cottage Grove 74-acre mixed-use project may soon need a new developer (subscription).
Inver Grove Heights will soon see a 242-unit apartment complex in the City (subscription).

North Metro News

Columbia Heights has accepted the Key Communities grant from the Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors® (SPAAR).
Ramsey County and Falcon Heights are not interested in purchasing the former University of Minnesota golf course.
North metro suburbs are catering a majority of new apartment developments to seniors (subscription).
Arden Hills' Rice Creek Commons parted ways with Alatus, the former developer of the site (subscription).

West Metro News

Minneapolis Democrats endorsed the democratic socialist candidate for Mayor, Omar Fateh, over the incumbent, Jacob Frey.
Crystal has put a moratorium on new development in one of the City's main retail and commercial areas.
Prior Lake residents will decide if they want to put $60 million toward the City's parks and trails improvements this November.

Minnesota News

The Twin Cities housing market just a new record median sales price of over $400k. This occurs as Twin Cities home seller profits drop more than the national average.
The Twin Cities received a $2.5 million grant dedicated to replanting 5,000 new trees to replace those lost to emerald ash borer infestations.
Minnesota homeowners face an annual average of $19,000 dedicated to property taxes, upkeep, and other unexpected expenses.
Minnesota Counties may have to raise property taxes due to losing federal funding from Trump's spending bill (subscription). Many Minnesotans may also be asked for extra funding from school districts in November.
Minnesota homeowners can apply for the homeowner's homestead credit refund, which can provide relief to homeowners paying property taxes. Minnesota has many other resources for homeowners that can help Realtors® and their clients.

Nationwide News

Minnesota Senator Tina Smith and her Senate colleagues introduced a bipartisan bill to reduce homelessness .
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that supply is still falling short despite the increase in overall listings. Learn what NAR's Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, is projecting.
NAR secured its top five legislative priorities from Trump's spending bill.
NAR also offered advice to first-time homebuyers amid the increasingly expensive and exclusive market.
Nationally, a median income family would need a down payment of more than $17,000 to afford a typical US home.
Nationwide, the wealth gap between homeowners and renters has reached a historic high. This occurs as America's renter population continues to increase (subscription).
The United States economy should be top of mind for all Realtors®. Here's why.