Minnesota Housing Partnership

By Erika Brown, Community Development Manager
(as linked from the MACS November 2024 newsletter)

Using data in housing and community development efforts is essential to identify needs, allocate resources, evaluate program effectiveness, and inform policy decisions. This evidence-based approach leads to targeted and impactful community strategies by highlighting disparities and trends.


Throughout my career, I have relied on Census data to gain insights into diverse communities, from large metropolitan neighborhoods to small rural towns. Despite their differences, all communities require data to inform effective development. However, not all are equally served by national and state data sources due to data reliability concerns.

MHP’s Community Development team recognizes this challenge firsthand. We frequently receive requests for technical assistance from local governments, nonprofits, and Native Nations seeking support for their housing and community development goals. Our expertise—ranging from innovative planning practices to knowledge of complex federal grants—facilitates effective collaboration among community leaders.

One of our initial steps in providing assistance is to understand the community we aim to serve. We engage with community leaders, conduct site visits, and analyze data on demographics, economics, and housing trends. This gives us insight into a community’s priorities even before delving into specific projects. Beneficiaries often express the need for localized data, such as community surveys or housing quality assessments, especially in smaller rural areas and Native Tribes, where data accuracy can be limited.

MHP staff assists in developing community engagement plans, drafting surveys, and identifying alternative data sources. I always start with the latest Census data, particularly the American Community Survey, then seek additional information from various sources (a list is included at the end of this article). 

For some communities, our free technical assistance enhances their capacity to conduct housing studies or pursue housing development projects. We strive to empower communities to build local knowledge and leadership, enabling them to attract resources and tackle future challenges successfully on their own.

For those interested in gathering local data, look out for MHP’s Empowering Community through Data: A Guide to Identifying Local Housing Needs, set to be released in Winter 2025, along with additional resources for housing needs assessments and community engagement.

Interested in free technical assistance for your organization, community, or Tribe? Contact Leah Hall, Community Development Director, at leah.hall@mhponline.org or visit us at www.mhponline.org.

Additional data sources to better understand local needs: