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Chris Wright      Response 13

Question 13: What is the state's role in promoting affordable housing? Share a specific proposal in this area.

I've proposed to increase the advertising budget for the Minnesota
Housing Finance Agency because awareness within the state of local,
state and federal programs for homeowners and homebuyers is so low.

By informing first-time homebuyers and the home-buying public of their
options through VA acquired homes, FHA and HUD, USDA Rural Housing
Service, Fannie Mae, the various housing and redevelopment authorities
and charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, we can
achieve affordable housing.

I would seek an end to narcotics prohibition, which destroys public
safety and leads to declining property values. Entrepreneurs who might
purchase multi-unit dwellings that serve low-income families have no
incentive to purchase in areas of declining property values. Likewise,
lower income homebuyers have no incentive to purchase homes in these
areas because prohibition has degraded home values and public safety.
Without homeowners who live in and care about their neighborhoods,
these areas decline even further. The declining tax base is unable to
fund schools and requires ever increasing state revenue assistance.
Businesses refuse to locate in unsafe areas and therefore wouldn't be
hiring in low-income areas.