Avid marathoner & political guy. Native Iowan. Advocating for the next generation of homebuyers @HousingFirstMN
Twin Cities
Joined July 2013
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Mark Foster retweeted
The candidates for Minnesota governor discuss housing issues during a special forum on KARE 11. kare11.com/article/news/poli…
Mark Foster retweeted
Easily one of the strongest, most diverse coalitions ever seen at the #mnleg, folks are driving home the need to remove the barriers to new home construction in MN. Thanks for your leadership @Lindsey_Port @SpencerIgoMN @jordanrasmusson @RepJasmine @mikehowardmn
#HousingDayMN
Mark Foster retweeted
We’ve got to get out of this loser mentality in this state. Places that can grow need to grow. Things like this will further stunt our economy and make homes more expensive for everyone.
This booming Twin Cities suburb wants to pause new construction - I will be at the Lakeville Council meeting this evening to advocate against this moratorium on behalf of @HousingFirstMN's members
startribune.com/lakeville-mi…
Mark Foster retweeted
“If we want to make sure that the next generation has opportunity, we’ve got to clear some of this red tape and mandates so that the homes that they want and can afford become available in Minnesota.”
minnesotareformer.com/2026/0…
Mark Foster retweeted
Huge win for affordability
Housing First Minnesota Ends Litigation After City of Edina Repeals Ordinances
newsroom.housingfirstmn.org/…
Mark Foster retweeted
Good news if you want Minnesota to build more housing - it sounds like we might be getting a zoning deal at the Capitol this year thanks to a group of younger, bipartisan legislators that all grew up during a housing affordability crisis. tcbmag.com/zoning-deal-gains…
Mark Foster retweeted
.@robmarkfoster testifies against the forced creation of HOAs via common property mandates or direct requirements as part of a subdivision approval.
HF 2614 includes language from past and current zoning reform bills. revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025…
Mark Foster retweeted
Pro-density housing advocates believe this is the year for zoning reform in Minnesota
startribune.com/pro-density-…
Mark Foster retweeted
Wild that people will read this and think, “we should eliminate property taxes for old folks”
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Mark Foster retweeted
Great graphic from the WSJ on the housing crisis: Home prices to buyer income ratio went sky high in 2021 and is barely budging
This is the whole ball game
Mark Foster retweeted
The average first-time homebuyer age in 2025 was 40 years old. That must have a huge negative impact on young Americans’ view of the economy.
My @Morning_Joe Chart
Mark Foster retweeted
Big picture: 2025 is on track to be one of the worst years for home sales in the past 30 years. (it may even turn out to be THE worst).
June data came in even weaker than expected today. 3.93 million sales (annualized data)
That's down from over 5 million pre-pandemic
**Housing is a key reason many Americans still feel that the basics for a decent life are unaffordable. They can't buy a home right now.**
Lower mortgage rates would help
More inventory would help even more
Mark Foster retweeted
Study: Rochester area needs 18,000 homes over the next decade startribune.com/study-roches…
Mark Foster retweeted
New newsletter: HOW THE HOUSING MARKET FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BECAME A 'TOTAL DISASTER'
In 1991, the median age of first-time homebuyers was 28. Now it’s 38. This is the hardest time for young people (defined, generously, up to 40) to buy their first home in modern history.
The vanishing dream of 20- and 30-something homeownership isn't just an economic phenomenon. It's becoming a political centerpiece. Housing affordability is for voters under 40 what protecting Social Security is for voters over 65.
The cities, states, and national parties that figure out how to talk about and ultimately solve this mess to restore housing affordability to Americans under 40 will have a major advantage in the next few years.
Mark Foster retweeted
The next @HFMNfoundation, @bravozuluhouse, breaks ground today, and Gov. Walz declares today Bravo Zulu House Day
Mark Foster retweeted
Blaine City Council hits pause once they realize their zoning code might allow even a single homeless family to be housed.
startribune.com/blaine-homel…
Mark Foster retweeted
Some Minnesota state legislators like to say that localities are already doing enough on housing affordability, but when someone in Blaine proposes the first ADU in four years of “legal” ADUs — to be rented to a low-income family — it causes a meltdown
A perfect example of why @GovTimWalz & the State Legislature need to eliminate legacy exclusionary local zoning practices in MN. We allow an extreme minority of incumbent home owners to veto new housing, denying others opportunity & raising costs. #MNLeg
startribune.com/blaine-homel…
Mark Foster retweeted
The broad coalition supporting reforms in MN included affordable housing advocates, environmentalists, builders, realtors, and faith groups. Yet it failed because a handful of senators sided with municipal lobbyists. As one lawmaker admitted: "We really brought the bare minimum...This was our opportunity to do a small fraction" for housing.
Mark Foster retweeted
NEW : In CO & MN, housing reforms died recently despite support. Not by "greedy developers" but municipal governments using their veto power. When each locality can block new housing while claiming to protect "community character," the result isn't democracy; it's paralysis. 🧵
Mark Foster retweeted
The starter home essentially no longer exists in America’s most popular cities.
The starter home of the 21st century will definitely look different than that of the 20th, but we must unleash our cities from the shackles of zoning and over-regulation and let them BUILD!
