From the Board Chair

Fall Remodelers Showcase home entry from Julkowski, Inc. in Roseville.

James and Rachel Julkowski supporting the Housing First Minnesota Foundation Gala.

Your Association for All Seasons

As we move through 2022 and I reflect on my role as your member leader and board chair, it is truly remarkable how much our industry has accomplished while we continue to grow and innovate. We started the year by driving the homeownership message at the Capitol and successfully defending our industry against harmful legislative impacts. Our leadership is elevating the homeownership discussion in a way that we didn’t think possible just five years ago. Our Parade of Homes tour had incredible spring and fall events as we showcased the expertise of our industry across the region. Our newly built and remodeled homes are some of the most efficient and high-performing in the country — confirmed by our Minnesota’s Green Path Home Performance Reports, which have grown to be the most respected seal of a well-built home. We didn’t stop there. Our Artisan Home Tour drew over 50,000 visits over the three weekends this June. Our Foundation’s Gala raised a recordbreaking amount to support the remarkable industry philanthropy undertaken by the Foundation. We’ve connected on the golf course and in committee meetings, and we look forward to the BIG Night this fall to celebrate our industry and award excellence across many fields. We’ll follow that with a close eye on elections, where the largest cohort of the Housing First PAC’s bipartisan endorsements will compete in elections across the state. As we execute on our strategic plan to support and defend this industry and its customers, we’ll face new economic and market challenges. It is in this moment where being your association for all seasons will be put to its highest test and value. Housing First Minnesota is a proud organization, built upon a legacy of industry leaders who value focus, careful planning, and commitment to our industry. We are clear-eyed and prepared to lead in our role to defend our industry, communicate key information, showcase our industry’s work, and connect our members with each other. We know there are challenges in front of us, but Housing First Minnesota will be there as our leader for all seasons.

JAMES JULKOWSKI

2022 HOUSING FIRST MINNESOTA BOARD CHAIR