Letter to the Editor SPOTLIGHT: Make affordable housing a New Year’s resolution
This LTE was originally published in The SUN Sailor on January 1st, 2026 by a Neighbors for More Neighbors volunteer.
To the Editor:
Numerous articles have been published recently in local newspapers about homelessness and the shortage of over 100,000 homes in Minnesota. In light of that, here’s a New Year’s resolution to consider. Do something to support affordable housing in your community.
Housing insecurity is real, stressful, and dangerous. It tears at the fabric of community and is present in the suburbs as well as urban and rural communities. Too many of our neighbors in the western suburbs are one or two paychecks away from missing a rent or mortgage payment or having to make terrible choices between paying for our housing, putting food on the table, or getting medicine we need.
Supporting affordable housing isn’t difficult. Here are some ideas:
• Support measures that allow more homes of all types in our suburbs. These could include backyard cottages, townhomes or apartments near jobs.
• Find out where your legislators and candidates for office stand on affordable housing. Vote for lawmakers who will advocate for affordable housing.
• Support community food shelves, thrift stores, and homeless shelters as you are able. If you know someone who is facing homelessness or housing insecurity, let them know they are not alone, that they matter. Show them how important they are to you, to the community, to themselves.
And, finally, be prepared to respond to people who try to make the “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) argument. Housing insecurity and homelessness are already in our backyard – but we often choose not to recognize them. Whether we’re shoveling each other’s cars or sidewalks out of the snow, or sharing a meal, Minnesota is a place where we look out for each other. The new year gives us an opportunity to ease the burden of housing insecurity and strengthen our communities.
Mary Stadick
Plymouth
