Affordable housing is one of the most urgent problems Minnesota faces. Nearly 600,000 households spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Families—especially low-income and minority households—are being forced to choose between rent, food, and health care. Rising costs, high interest rates, and construction slowdowns are making the problem worse, leaving renters, first-time buyers, and children at greater risk of instability.
The legislature has tried addressing this with statewide zoning mandates that override local control, but communities have pushed back. While some of this is “Not In My Backyard” resistance, there are also valid concerns: sewer, water, and roads were designed for lower-density housing, and suddenly increasing population strains those systems. Local governments and residents want to protect the character of their neighborhoods and the investments they’ve made.
The reality is that our failure to build housing disproportionately hurts those who aren’t at the planning table—future residents. When elected, I’ll focus on balancing the need for affordable homes with respect for local control. We must look for solutions that make sense, don’t burden taxpayers, and can earn support from both sides of the debate.
Some ideas include:
Expanding senior housing options (duplexes, condos, rental apartments). This could free up existing homes for younger families.
Repurposing contaminated or underused sites for mixed housing developments.
Urging the federal government to remove tariffs on Canadian building materials to reduce construction costs.
I’m open to your suggestions too. This is a problem we can solve with creativity, compromise, and practical leadership.
Rick Olson Growing Up
Rethinking What “Enough” Housing Really Means
The affordable housing debate
often gets stuck on what type of housing is “acceptable.” Many envision every family in a single-family home with a yard. That’s not realistic—or necessary—for everyone.
My own upbringing taught me that a modest home can still provide the foundation for success. After my father passed away, my mom raised six kids in a tiny, drafty house with no indoor bathroom. It wasn’t much, but it gave us shelter and the opportunity to focus on what mattered: education and hard work. Every one of us earned a college degree, and four went on to advanced degrees. From that humble beginning, my wife and I were able to build a good life and live the American Dream.
That experience shaped my view: housing doesn’t need to be luxurious to be good enough. For some, a small apartment, a manufactured home, or even a tiny home can provide dignity, stability, and affordability. What matters is having options people can afford without sacrificing life’s necessities.
We should expand the range of housing choices so everyone—from young families to seniors—can find a home that fits their needs and budget. It’s more important to live in an affordable home than to struggle in one that consumes every dollar you earn.
