Local leaders talk housing amid potential cuts

DULUTH, Minn. — Local housing leaders and advocates got together to discuss housing and the impact potential federal budget cuts could have in Minnesota.

There are two proposals for the Federal Housing and Urban Development budget for 2026.

The U.S. House proposal includes cutting the budget by $939 million, which would further strain systems already struggling to meet the needs of Americans.

The U.S. Senate proposal includes an increase of $3.3 billion, but housing advocates say it’s still not enough to fill the urgent need for housing.

“We can’t lose focus on the fact that we need to not only maintain the housing that we need, but also expand on creating new housing for our communities, and we can’t do that by cutting federal funds that keep the current housing that we have in our communities going.” said Dana Hiltunen, Executive Director for Virginia & Eveleth Housing & Redevelopment Authorities. “You cannot have economic development in your communities without housing. So if you don’t have stable housing for people to live in, you aren’t going to have people that can work in your communities.”

Hiltunen also said that across the studies she’s seen- housing of all types is needed in every community.

She also emphasized the need to work together with neighboring communities to address the needs not being met by federal government.