Advocacy Updates
SPAAR January 2026 Updates
East Metro News
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Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her was inaugurated on January 2, 2026. She and her counterpart, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, face many challenges in their respective cities.
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Saint Paul and Minneapolis City Councils called on Governor Tim Walz to implement an eviction moratorium.
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Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her has replaced the deputy mayor model for a four-person structure in her Administration.
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Saint Paul advocates seek to put "Right to Repair" law on November's ballot.
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East Metro Cities seek funding from the MN Legislature to fight against forever chemicals (subscription).
South Metro News
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Apple Valley has dedicated $7 million to a new youth sports complex.
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A $6 million Eagan project designed to bring "an effective end to veteran homeless" was completed in December (subscription).
North Metro News
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Forest Lake may soon see a mixed-use project in the City's downtown that would include condos, a hotel, event center, retail, and parking (subscription).
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In Anoka, the fight over which company picks up residents' trash has resurfaced.
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From Anoka to the Iron Range, there are many legislative battlegrounds races set for the 2026 election.
West Metro News
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Bloomington will soon see a 180-unit affordable apartment project (subscription).
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A key Saint Louis Park site next to the light rail station may see a 265-unit mixed-use development (subscription).
Minnesota News
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In the Twin Cities, dueling approaches over how to fix the housing crisis are changing the tactics in Saint Paul and Minneapolis (subscription ).
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The Minnesota ICE surge chills the construction industry, slows projects (subscription).
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Minnesota evictions reached a statewide record in 2025 with 23,000-25,000 filings (subscription).
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Minnesota buyer optimism is increasing as interest rates hit a 1-year low.
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Minnesota gained more people from other states in 2025.
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Minnesota housing programs sit on hundreds of thousands of federal dollars due to uncertainty with grant requirements. This happens as local governments have to adjust their budgets because of changing tides at the state and federal level.
Nationwide News
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The National Association of Realtors® leading economists have predicted what the housing industry will see in 2026 , which may see a new opportunity for buyers.
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Nationally, property taxes and homeowners' insurance are rising at an unsustainable pace, causing more mortgage delinquencies. MPR has some advice about what to do about rising insurance costs.
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Housing and Urban Development proposed ending disparate impact guidance, shifting Fair Housing Act interpretation to courts.