Housing

E-DEMOCRACY | Standish-Ericsson residents: Did you get a "We'd like to buy your house" letter?

By Multiple authors, E-Democracy issues forums

From: Laurel Severns Guntzel Date: Feb 12 22:46

I got home today to a handwritten note stuck in our storm door from a man named Zac Stilwell who said he and his wife, Priscilla, want to buy our house, and they left a phone number. Our house is really not anything special compared to some of the very cute houses in the neighborhood, so it seems strange. Did anyone else get something like this?

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New month, new location for South Minneapolis Housing and Home Improvement Fair

By Staff, Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association

The South Minneapolis Housing Fair, usually held in March, will be held on Sat., Apr. 13 (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.). The event has also changed location. Usually held at South High School, it will now take place at the Minneapolis Sports Center (2121 E. Lake St.). Whether you are giving a room a “makeover,” or starting from the ground up, you’ll find answers to all of your questions at the 19th annual South Minneapolis Housing Fair. This event is free and open to the public.

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Improving the renters' property tax refund

By Jeff Van Wychen, Minnesota 2020

Of all the regressive taxes (those falling on people with the least ability to pay) rental property taxes are the most regressive category of property tax, according to the 2011 Minnesota Tax Incidence Study (MTIS). While renters do not pay property taxes directly, the cost of property taxes are passed on to them in the form of higher rents. To reduce the regressivity of rental property taxes, Minnesota has instituted the Renters’ Property Tax Refund (or Renters’ PTR), which directs property tax relief to low income renters. Dollar for dollar, no program in the state does more to reduce tax regressivity than the Renters’ PTR.

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Minnesota 2020

Northeasters Witt Siasoco and Jim Voll on Creative CityMaking

By Margo Ashmore, Northeaster

“Department of Change” he called it. When a house near Witt Siasoco’s Holland Neighborhood home was condemned, he instinctively used his artistic, graphic and engagement skills to demonstrate what he was learning.

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Columbia Heights is ripe for developers

By Gail Olson, Northeaster

The former Mady’s site, where there’s no specific plan and need for site cleanup. (Photos by Gail Olson)

It seems that Columbia Heights is looking good, lately, to some local developers. City officials recently heard a preliminary redevelopment proposal that could include a public library, city hall and senior housing at 40th and Central, and another developer plans to build single family houses at the Grand Central Lofts site, 49th and Central avenues.

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Mortgage tax deductions: Our largest housing assistance program

By Colleen OConnor Toberman, Minnesota 2020

I always look forward to my tax refund this time of year. Thanks to our mortgage and student loans, my partner and I receive a decent refund that we use to pay down student debt or perhaps enjoy a vacation.

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Minnesota 2020

New Dinkytown complex aims for affordability, slated to open in summer 2014

By Kelsey Shirriff, The Minnesota Daily

There’s another apartment complex springing up near the University of Minnesota, but it isn’t as high end as other new developments.

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OPINION | Falling incomes, rising rents squeeze working poor

By Leigh Rosenberg, Minnesota 2020

Becoming homeless wasn’t Ernestine Freeman’s plan. Yet fleeing domestic violence, she and her two children wore out their welcome staying with family and friends, ultimately finding themselves in a homeless shelter—certainly not the stuff of dreams for any mother. Ms. Freeman was crippled by anxiety and depression as she witnessed the toll taken on her children emotionally and academically.

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Mortgage banking double-cross leaves some homeowners out in the cold

By Stephanie Fox, TC Daily Planet

Caylin Crawford (Photo by Stephanie Fox)

Homeowner Caylin Crawford had been paying the mortgage on her St. Paul home on time since she bought it in the spring of 2009. Then, in January 2011, she had a snowboarding accident. Told that she would be unable to work for the next three months, she called US Bank, her mortgage servicer, to see if they could make adjustments until she was back on her feet.

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