During the 2025 legislative session, Neighbors for More Neighbors worked closely with other members of the Yes to Homes coalition to advocate for policies that allowed for more abundant housing to be built across the state of Minnesota. While the outcomes of the legislative session were not what we had hoped to see, we were able to build power and are prepared to continue to advocate next session for meaningful reforms in order to address the 100,000 homes short across the state of Minnesota.

Eighty percent of Minnesota voters say the cost of renting or buying a home is a somewhat or very significant problem, and two thirds (67%) of voters say there are not enough homes for average people to rent or buy.

In a by-right system, planning staff can quickly approve a project based solely on whether it meets established legal requirements or not. No further approval from local boards, city councils or the public is required.

Minnesota, like much of the country, is facing a severe housing shortage. With too few homes available, everyone ends up paying more. Existing tax policies in Minnesota often reward land speculation in key areas primed for development. As a result, instead of new housing construction entire city blocks of space are taken up by unproductive land use.

Point Access Blocks allow more windows and balconies, more efficient floor plans, larger family-sized units, and better energy efficiency. They allow builders to shift space now mandated for corridors into a third or fourth bedroom. They are one part of removing barriers and lowering housing costs for families. We can build better quality homes, while reducing building and maintenance costs, by choosing to make more types of homes legal.