Agency Overview

Mission-Focused

Providing Quality, Stable, and Affordable Housing

The mission of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority is to promote and deliver quality, well-managed homes to a diverse low-income population and, with partners, contribute to the well-being of the individuals, families and community we serve.

The agency achieves its mission through its three primary programs: Public Housing, Deeply Affordable Family Housing, and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Across all three programs, MPHA assists more than 26,000 people access quality, stable, and affordable housing every day.

Public Housing

MPHA owns and operates 42 high-rises across the city, 184 family homes at Glendale in Southeast, and a 16-unit townhome development in its public housing program. Across these units, the agency operates over 5,000 housing units. These units serve individuals and families who are at or below 80% Area Median Income.

Family Housing

MPHA manages a portfolio of nearly 800 scattered site family homes, including the internationally recognized 16-site, 84-unit modular multiplex development, Family Housing Expansion Project. These units serve individuals and families who are at or below 50% Area Median Income.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The agency administers more than 7,000 Housing Choice Vouchers which allow participants to use a rent subsidy on a rental unit found on the private market. Applicants are eligible for Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) at 50% or below of Area Median Income. More than 18,500 residents across the region benefit from the use of the Housing Choice Vouchers administered through MPHA.

Individual in formal business wear smiles in headshot styled photo

MPHA’s Leadership

Meet MPHA’s Executive Director/CEO, Abdi Warsame

Abdi Warsame became MPHA’s Executive Director/CEO in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 crisis began taking hold. Months later, a global reckoning was sparked in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis law enforcement officer. Through these dueling crises, Abdi focused his early work on resident health and safety while gaining his footing as the CEO of the state’s largest housing authority. As the world endured to emerge into its new normal, he helped chart a new path forward for MPHA that centered on four priorities: People, Preservation, Production, and Partnership.

Prior to joining MPHA, he had been a member of the Minneapolis City Council, representing the 6th Ward since 2014. Abdi was born in Somalia and grew up in London before moving to Minneapolis in 2006. He has a BSc in Business and a Master’s Degree in International Business. He and his family live in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority is overseen by a nine-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and City Council Members.

Team-Oriented

Learn About the Agency’s Departments

The agency serves more than 26,000 people every day through its nearly 6,000 rental units it owns and over 7,000 housing choice vouchers it administers. The agency has been a HUD “high-performer” for decades because MPHA team members excel at their core functions while also creating new and exciting ways to help meet the housing needs of Minneapolis. The agency is only able to meet its mission because of the nearly 400 committed team members across 11 departments.

The Affordable Property Operations team oversees MPHA’s growing portfolio of family housing and RAD-converted high-rises. They ensure these properties are well-maintained and compliant with all applicable regulations.

The Communications and Strategic Partnerships team is responsible for managing the agency’s external communications, media relations, advocacy, and growing partnerships with non-profit partners to offer support services to residents.

The Finance team is responsible for the management, planning, reporting, and oversight of MPHA’s financial resources and commitments. The department coordinates external audits, pays bills, processes charges and receipts, and maintains business insurance coverage. This department ensures that all financial operations are transparent and comply with governmental regulations.

The Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 team administers all vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based vouchers, and special initiative vouchers). They act as the first point of contact for HCV applicants, ensure private market rentals are fitting for participants, and support deeply affordable housing developments.

The Human Resources team handles all recruitment, benefits administration, and compliance with labor laws. This department works closely with various labor unions representing MPHA staff.

The Information Technology team is responsible for the management of all information technology systems for the agency. This includes maintaining data security, supporting operational technologies, and developing new IT solutions to enhance efficiency.

The Legal team provides legal counsel and representation for the agency.

The Planning and Development team is responsible for the agency’s housing preservation and new-unit development work. This department manages all aspects of major capital investments, redevelopment initiatives, and new construction projects including structuring and securing project financing.

The Policy and Strategic Initiatives team is tasked with developing the agency’s Moving to Work (MTW) plan–making sure the community and residents have their voice heard and reflected in the plan. Another area of their work includes working with the Highrise Health Alliance to connect partners to the MPHA community to increase health outcomes of residents.

The Procurement team manage all agency bids and proposals for contracted work. They ensure goods and services acquired by the agency are compliant and fair.

The Public Housing Operations team manages all the agency’s public housing units. Building management, maintenance, and leasing is all covered by this department. They ensure buildings are well-maintained for residents and is responsible for the agency’s high public housing occupancy rate.