In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan examine research from the Minnesota Housing Stability Coalition on distress in affordable housing. Drawing from quantitative analysis, qualitative interviews, and resident perspectives, they explore what happens when affordable properties face rising costs, staffing strain, safety concerns, and growing service needs. The conversation looks at why this is not just a property-level issue, but a system-wide challenge with real consequences for residents, operators, and the long-term sustainability of affordable housing. Plus, in Ask mihra, they break down what housing providers should know if they are new to accepting Housing Choice Vouchers, and they spotlight MHA’s condensed one-day Boiler Exam Preparation Class created with St. Paul College for busy maintenance professionals. 🏠 Learn more about the Minnesota Housing Stability Coalition: mnhousingstability.org 📘 Read about Housing Choice Vouchers: hud.gov/hcv/landlords 🛠️ Register for MHA’s Boiler Exam Prep Course on June 17th: mmha.com/Education

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan dig into the latest issue of The Advocate, Minnesota Solutions. They explore how Minnesota’s biggest challenges, housing supply, workforce shortages, education outcomes, demographic shifts, and long-term economic competitiveness, are no longer separate conversations. The episode highlights the key takeaways listeners should know, including why housing production is slowing, what the state’s demographic trends mean for future growth, and why Minnesota’s broader economic outlook depends on more honest assessment and more practical, connected solutions. The conversation is a big-picture look at where Minnesota stands now—and what it will take to move forward. 📘 Register for MHA’s Fair Housing class: mmha.com/Education 📊 Explore the MN Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Business Benchmarks Report: mnchamber.com/2026-business-benchmarks-report 🤖 Meet mihra: mmha.com/mihra

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the November/December 2024 issue of Multi Housing Advocate, The State of Taxes, and explore what’s changed in 2026. With federal tax cuts extended but Minnesota ranking near the bottom nationally in tax competitiveness according to the 2026 Minnesota Chamber Business Benchmarks Report, the conversation connects state income and corporate tax rates, migration trends, and rising property assessments to housing supply and development feasibility. Plus, a practical Ask mihra walkthrough of the property tax appeal process and a look at the launch of MHA Online — MHA’s new Minnesota-focused learning platform.

📖 Read the The State of Taxes: mmha.com/resources/advocate 🎓 Explore MHA Online: mmha.com/Online 📊 View the ‘26 MN Chamber Business Benchmarks Report: mnchamber.com/business-benchmarks 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this interview-style episode of The Brief, longtime Minnesota housing provider Bill Cullen shares his experience during Minnesota’s COVID-era eviction moratorium and why he ultimately became the sole plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging the policy. Bill reflects on the realities housing providers faced during the pandemic, including a disruptive situation at one of his apartment buildings that escalated under the eviction ban. He discusses the legal arguments behind the case, the impact the moratorium had on both housing providers and residents, and the leadership lessons that came from navigating one of the most complex periods in Minnesota housing policy.

⚖️ Heights Apartments, LLC v. Time Walz Decision: uscourts.gov 🧠 AI Basics & Practical Applications for Housing Providers: mmha.com 🎧 The Brief Podcast: mmha.com/Resources/The-Brief 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan break down the March/April issue of Multi Housing Advocate, Smarter Centralization, highlighting how operators are redesigning roles, leveraging AI and automation, and building more intentional operating models. Featuring insights from leaders at EliseAI, Centerspace, Hornig Companies, SmartRent, Weidner Apartment Homes, and Saturday Properties, the episode explores how centralization can strengthen teams, improve performance, and expand career paths.

⭐ Read the March/April Issue of Multi Housing Advocate: mmha.com/resources/advocate 📌Register for the Working Together Conference (April 16): mmha.com/wtc 🎙 Browse Past Episodes of The Brief: mmha.com/resources/thebrief 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit a 2023 Advocate article by housing provider Laura Russ and researcher Jenny Schuetz that outlined three foundational goals for Minnesota’s housing future: increase supply, preserve existing housing, and directly support residents with the greatest barriers. Now in 2026, they reflect on how those recommendations have aged in light of recent Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis research showing apartment construction slowing, housing supply progress slipping, and lower-income buyers facing fewer options and higher costs, asking whether Minnesota has sustained the structural focus needed to keep housing viable statewide. The episode also previews key sessions from MHA’s Greater Minnesota Conferences, highlighting practical education on trafficking awareness, AI-powered property management, market trends, maintenance safety, fair housing, and eviction updates for housing professionals across the state.

📘 Multi Housing Advocate - Housing Solutions (March/April 2023 Issue): mmha.com

📊 Federal Reserve - Housing Supply Progress Slips (2025): minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/after-recent-successes-twin-cities-regions-housing-supply-progress-slips

📉 Federal Reserve - Apartment Construction Expected to Slow (2025): minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/ninth-district-apartment-construction-expected-to-slow-as-fewer-new-projects-are-permitted

🏘️ Federal Reserve – Lower-Income Home Shoppers Saw Fewer Options (2025): minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/lower-income-home-shoppers-in-twin-cities-area-saw-fewer-options-higher-costs-in-2024

📍 Greater Minnesota Conferences & Membership Information: mmha.com/GreaterMN

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan spotlight two key opportunities for Minnesota’s multi-housing professionals: the 2026 MADACS Call for Entries and the 2026 Working Together Conference. They break down major MADACS updates — including the new VideoAsk interview format, removal of the one-year time-in-role requirement, and the step-by-step entry guide — and share how members can use mihra to prepare for award interviews with confidence. The conversation also highlights timely Working Together sessions like Preventative Management, Confident Compliance, Slipping Through the Cracks, and Property Management Math, all designed to help teams stay sharp in a complex operating environment.

📅 MADACS Entry Deadline: May 18, 2026 (Early Bird through May 4): madacsawards.com 🎟️ Working Together Conference: April 16, 2026 (Early Bird through March 16): mmha.com/wtc 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the January/February 2024 issue of The Advocate—Our Other Residents—to explore why the trend of treating pets as family in rental housing isn’t going anywhere. From loneliness and emotional support animals to pet-forward design, policy enforcement, and fair housing compliance, the conversation highlights how animals increasingly shape leasing decisions, resident retention, and day-to-day operations in multifamily housing. Denise and Logan unpack practical insights from MHA contributors and use a real-world Ask mihra question to clarify what housing providers must do when service animals intersect with pet-free policies.

🐾 Our Other Residents, January/February 2024 issue of The Advocate: mmha.com 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🤝 Join the MHA Community & Member Network: mmha.com/Membership/Membership-Information 📅 2026 MHA Conferences & Events Calendar: mmha.com/events

🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net