Rasmusson highlights progress on housing reform, calls for continued work to increase homeownership
State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) recently participated in a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Housing Round Table focused on increasing homeownership opportunities in Minnesota by addressing local barriers to housing development.
The round table, hosted by Housing First Minnesota, brought together homebuilders, housing leaders, and HUD officials from across the Midwest to discuss policies that can make it easier for Minnesotans to buy a home. Minnesota currently faces a housing shortage of more than 101,000 homes, leaving many families priced out of homeownership.
During the discussion, Rasmusson highlighted progress made during the 2026 legislative session and the need for continued reforms. “Homeownership is an important part of the American dream, and we should be doing everything we can to make it attainable for more Minnesotans,” said Rasmusson. “That means taking a close look at the regulations that make building and buying a home more difficult.”
This year, the Minnesota Legislature approved a bipartisan reform package to strengthen protections for homeowners living in homeowners associations (HOAs) and common interest communities. Senate File 1750, known as the HOA Residents’ Bill of Rights, includes a key HOA preemption provision Rasmusson championed and successfully added as an amendment.
Under the new law, local governments cannot require a new residential development to create an HOA. They also cannot require amenities or other features that would necessitate one. However, developers can still choose to include those amenities and voluntarily form an association. By giving builders more flexibility, the law can reduce development costs that otherwise may be passed on to homebuyers.
“If a builder and a community want an HOA, they should have that option, but it should not be something government requires,” said Rasmusson. “Giving builders that flexibility can reduce unnecessary costs and give families more options when buying a home.”
The reform is part of a broader effort to reduce unnecessary government barriers to housing construction. Rasmusson has continued working with lawmakers on additional land-use reforms, including policies in the Minnesota Starter Home Act.
“We took important steps this year, but there is more work to do,” said Rasmusson. “I will continue working on practical housing reforms that make it easier to build the homes Minnesota families want.”
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