Housing
Background
Phillips West is home to a mix of historic housing, large housing towers, and small single-family residences - all interspersed with large businesses and institutions. Phillips West is 84% renter, with many of these renters rent-burdened (meaning that they pay more than 30% of their income towards rent every month).
In the 2021 Phillips West Community Survey, residents identified affordable housing as a priority that PWNO should work on. Many expressed concerns about homelessness while noting how race increases disparities in access to safe, affordable housing. Residents encouraged PWNO to provide residents of Phillips West resources and information on tenants' rights, including financial resources. They also encouraged PWNO to serve as a bridge between property owners and renters.
Over summer 2021, we were lucky to bring on a summer housing intern to start laying the groundwork for how PWNO can address this clear priority. Our intern worked to connect with renters, landlords, and explore how PWNO can better support healthy, stable, accessible housing. By pulling from City of Minneapolis rental data, he was also able to generate a high level picture of the neighborhood housing landscape:
There are a total of 1449 rental units in Phillips West, located in over 220 buildings. While many of the buildings in Phillips are smaller, with 1-4 rental units, the majority of rental units in Phillips West are owned by a few large property owners. Just 10 property owners collectively own around 55% of all rental units in Phillips West.
Our Work: Renter Support Fund
Through a partnership with the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, PWNO is delighted to provide direct rental assistance to neighborhood renters struggling with rent or other bills. This is an intentionally low-barrier program, with an aim of getting funds directly into the hands of neighbors who need it. Over the course of November and December 2021, PWNO will be providing funding for 20 renters to receive $900 of rental assistance each. This program operates on a lottery system, with applications accepted between the 15th and the 20th of the previous month.
Our (future) Work: Renter-Leader Program
More information to come!
Phillips West is home to a mix of historic housing, large housing towers, and small single-family residences - all interspersed with large businesses and institutions. Phillips West is 84% renter, with many of these renters rent-burdened (meaning that they pay more than 30% of their income towards rent every month).
In the 2021 Phillips West Community Survey, residents identified affordable housing as a priority that PWNO should work on. Many expressed concerns about homelessness while noting how race increases disparities in access to safe, affordable housing. Residents encouraged PWNO to provide residents of Phillips West resources and information on tenants' rights, including financial resources. They also encouraged PWNO to serve as a bridge between property owners and renters.
Over summer 2021, we were lucky to bring on a summer housing intern to start laying the groundwork for how PWNO can address this clear priority. Our intern worked to connect with renters, landlords, and explore how PWNO can better support healthy, stable, accessible housing. By pulling from City of Minneapolis rental data, he was also able to generate a high level picture of the neighborhood housing landscape:
There are a total of 1449 rental units in Phillips West, located in over 220 buildings. While many of the buildings in Phillips are smaller, with 1-4 rental units, the majority of rental units in Phillips West are owned by a few large property owners. Just 10 property owners collectively own around 55% of all rental units in Phillips West.
Our Work: Renter Support Fund
Through a partnership with the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, PWNO is delighted to provide direct rental assistance to neighborhood renters struggling with rent or other bills. This is an intentionally low-barrier program, with an aim of getting funds directly into the hands of neighbors who need it. Over the course of November and December 2021, PWNO will be providing funding for 20 renters to receive $900 of rental assistance each. This program operates on a lottery system, with applications accepted between the 15th and the 20th of the previous month.
Our (future) Work: Renter-Leader Program
More information to come!