The Brief

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the November/December 2024 issue of Multi Housing Advocate, The State of Taxes, and explore what’s changed in 2026. With federal tax cuts extended but Minnesota ranking near the bottom nationally in tax competitiveness according to the 2026 Minnesota Chamber Business Benchmarks Report, the conversation connects state income and corporate tax rates, migration trends, and rising property assessments to housing supply and development feasibility. Plus, a practical Ask mihra walkthrough of the property tax appeal process and a look at the launch of MHA Online — MHA’s new Minnesota-focused learning platform. 📖 Read the The State of Taxes: mmha.com/resources/advocate 🎓 Explore MHA Online: mmha.com/Online 📊 View the ‘26 MN Chamber Business Benchmarks Report: mnchamber.com/business-benchmarks   🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this interview-style episode of The Brief, longtime Minnesota housing provider Bill Cullen shares his experience during Minnesota’s COVID-era eviction moratorium and why he ultimately became the sole plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging the policy. Bill reflects on the realities housing providers faced during the pandemic, including a disruptive situation at one of his apartment buildings that escalated under the eviction ban. He discusses the legal arguments behind the case, the impact the moratorium had on both housing providers and residents, and the leadership lessons that came from navigating one of the most complex periods in Minnesota housing policy. ⚖️ Heights Apartments, LLC v. Time Walz Decision: uscourts.gov 🧠 AI Basics & Practical Applications for Housing Providers: mmha.com 🎧 The Brief Podcast: mmha.com/Resources/The-Brief 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan break down the March/April issue of Multi Housing Advocate, Smarter Centralization, highlighting how operators are redesigning roles, leveraging AI and automation, and building more intentional operating models. Featuring insights from leaders at EliseAI, Centerspace, Hornig Companies, SmartRent, Weidner Apartment Homes, and Saturday Properties, the episode explores how centralization can strengthen teams, improve performance, and expand career paths. ⭐ Read the March/April Issue of Multi Housing Advocate: mmha.com/resources/advocate 📌Register for the Working Together Conference (April 16): mmha.com/wtc 🎙 Browse Past Episodes of The Brief: mmha.com/resources/thebrief 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit a 2023 Advocate article by housing provider Laura Russ and researcher Jenny Schuetz that outlined three foundational goals for Minnesota’s housing future: increase supply, preserve existing housing, and directly support residents with the greatest barriers. Now in 2026, they reflect on how those recommendations have aged in light of recent Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis research showing apartment construction slowing, housing supply progress slipping, and lower-income buyers facing fewer options and higher costs, asking whether Minnesota has sustained the structural focus needed to keep housing viable statewide. The episode also previews key sessions from MHA’s Greater Minnesota Conferences, highlighting practical education on trafficking awareness, AI-powered property management, market trends, maintenance safety, fair housing, and eviction updates for housing professionals across the state. 📘 Multi Housing Advocate - Housing Solutions (March/April 2023 Issue): mmha.com 📊 Federal Reserve - Housing Supply Progress Slips (2025): minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/after-recent-successes-twin-cities-regions-housing-supply-progress-slips 📉 Federal Reserve - Apartment Construction Expected to Slow (2025): minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/ninth-district-apartment-construction-expected-to-slow-as-fewer-new-projects-are-permitted  🏘️ Federal Reserve – Lower-Income Home Shoppers Saw Fewer Options (2025): minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/lower-income-home-shoppers-in-twin-cities-area-saw-fewer-options-higher-costs-in-2024 📍 Greater Minnesota Conferences & Membership Information: mmha.com/GreaterMN 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan spotlight two key opportunities for Minnesota’s multi-housing professionals: the 2026 MADACS Call for Entries and the 2026 Working Together Conference. They break down major MADACS updates — including the new VideoAsk interview format, removal of the one-year time-in-role requirement, and the step-by-step entry guide — and share how members can use mihra to prepare for award interviews with confidence. The conversation also highlights timely Working Together sessions like Preventative Management, Confident Compliance, Slipping Through the Cracks, and Property Management Math, all designed to help teams stay sharp in a complex operating environment. 📅 MADACS Entry Deadline: May 18, 2026 (Early Bird through May 4): madacsawards.com 🎟️ Working Together Conference: April 16, 2026 (Early Bird through March 16): mmha.com/wtc 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the January/February 2024 issue of The Advocate—Our Other Residents—to explore why the trend of treating pets as family in rental housing isn’t going anywhere. From loneliness and emotional support animals to pet-forward design, policy enforcement, and fair housing compliance, the conversation highlights how animals increasingly shape leasing decisions, resident retention, and day-to-day operations in multifamily housing. Denise and Logan unpack practical insights from MHA contributors and use a real-world Ask mihra question to clarify what housing providers must do when service animals intersect with pet-free policies. 🐾 Our Other Residents, January/February 2024 issue of The Advocate: mmha.com 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🤝 Join the MHA Community & Member Network: mmha.com/Membership/Membership-Information 📅 2026 MHA Conferences & Events Calendar: mmha.com/events 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan unpack the concept of housing filtering—how new market-rate housing sets off a chain of moves that can ease pressure across the entire housing market. Grounded in real research and Minnesota-specific examples, the conversation breaks down why supply matters, how filtering actually works in practice, and what it means for affordability in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Denise and Logan reference landmark research by economist Evan Mast to explain how migration chains form—and why blocking new housing can unintentionally make affordability challenges worse. 🔍 The Effect of New Market-Rate Housing Construction on the Low-Income Housing Market: research.upjohn.org/up_workingpapers/307 📈  How New Apartments Create Opportunities for All: minneapolisfed.org/article/2024/how-new-apartments-create-opportunities-for-all 📊 MHA Advocacy, Education & Member Resources: mmha.com 🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan explore the March/April 2025 Advocate issue, "Safe at Home"—what safety really looks like in multifamily right now. From de-escalation and staff-first safety culture to resident partnerships, cost-smart security tech, and civic engagement, they break down what’s changing and what it means for your work today. 📅 Education Calendar: mmha.com/Education/Education-Calendar 🏢 Join MHA: mmha.com/Membership 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the March/April 2023 Housing Solutions issue of The Advocate—the one MHA hand-delivered to every Minnesota lawmaker. They unpack modular construction’s speed and cost advantages, Rochester’s Unified Development Code, research-backed policy goals from Aeon/Brookings, strategies to narrow racial homeownership gaps, and more! 📅 Upcoming Events: mmha.com/Events/Events-Calendar 🤝 MHA Committees: mmha.com/Membership/Volunteer-Committees 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan dive into the January/February 2026 issue of Multi Housing Advocate, titled Building EQ, focusing on emotional intelligence as a practical, operational skill in multifamily housing. The conversation explores how EQ shows up under pressure—from de-escalation and maintenance interactions to leasing and trauma-informed management—and why these skills matter for both resident experience and staff retention. 📅 De-Escalation: Connecting in a Crisis mmha.com/Education/Education-Calendar/ArtMID/118640/ArticleID/3717/De-Escalation-Connecting-in-a-Crisis   🎓MHA Professional Education: mmha.com/Education/Education-Calendar 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net   mihra's poem on "emotional intelligence, connection, and the human side of housing" In a world of work orders, tours, and keys, And meetings that could’ve been emails, please, EQ shows up when you stop and breathe, Instead of replying immediately. Listen first. Don’t take the bait. Not every problem needs solving at eight. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do, Is pause… and not say the thing you were about to.  

In this episode of The Brief, Aubrey interviews MHA Board Chair Jennifer Gordon on leading with clarity: EOS Traction in practice, decision-making under pressure, and turning new tools—like mihra—into lasting habits. Denise and Logan also spotlight ACRM (Advanced Certified Residential Manager), MHA’s cohort program for experienced pros, including the next cohort launch on January 20, 2026. 👥MHA’s Board of Directors: https://www.mmha.com/Board 🧭 EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System): www.eosworldwide.com 🎓ACRM (Advanced Certified Residential Manager): www.mmha.com/Certifications 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra    🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, MHA President & CEO Cecil Smith and Vice President of Government Affairs & COO Todd Liljenquist unpack the Minneapolis and Saint Paul 2021 rent control ballot fights—how the questions showed up on the ballots, MHA’s “Think Twice” coalition and $5M campaign, election-night results, and what’s happened since (from construction slowdowns to policy reassessments).  📜 St. Paul Rent Stabilization Information: stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/rent-buy-sell-property/rent-stabilization/landlords 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net      

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan unpack the 2025 Survey of Minnesota Business Services Firms—what it signals for 2026 planning: steady demand, tighter margins, and ways to keep teams productive without squeezing residents. They translate the data into practical moves—clearer scopes, smarter sequencing, and a few durable ops metrics—then spotlight MHA’s online, on-demand training in What’s Happening at MHA: Employee Onboarding Essentials (Fair Housing, Customer Service, Workplace Harassment), role boosters for leasing and marketing, plus compliance & leadership tracks you can assign anytime.   📌 MN DEED Press Release and Full Report: mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=1045-700630&utm 📊MPLS Fed Recap: minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/services-firms-remain-optimistic-after-a-year-of-slight-growth?utm 🖥️ On Demand Education: mmha.com/education/education-calendar 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan dig into the “Maintenance Matters” issue of The Advocate—how to use AI on the maintenance front lines, decide when to refresh vs. renovate, control expenses without cutting corners, and “think like an inspector” to prevent low-cost citations before they happen. They also ask mihra about finding a window-repair vendor and highlight upcoming year-end maintenance classes. 🛍️ MHA Buyers Guide: mmha.com/Directories/MHA-Membership-Buyers-Guide 📅 Education Calendar: mmha.com/education/education-calendar 👥 Membership Info: mmha.com/Membership/Membership-Information 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

We’re rewinding to "Diving into Debt", the May/June 2025 issue of The Advocate for a closer look at debt in the multi-housing industry. From rising interest rates to shifting market forces, Denise and Logan unpack what’s fueling financial pressure, where the biggest risks are, and what housing providers can do to stay ahead. It’s a fast, focused breakdown of the numbers—and the stories—they tell. 📅 Education Calendar: mmha.com/Education/Education-Calendar 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🏢 Join MHA: mmha.com/Membership   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan unpack MetroSight's study Behind the High Cost of Rent, translating the findings into clear takeaways for housing professionals: how source-of-income rules, eviction measures, and screening limits can raise operating costs and risk, and why consistent statewide policy can stabilize investment and affordability. 📊 MetroSight's Behind the High Cost of Rent Study: nmhc.org/research-insight/research-report/behind-the-high-cost-of-rent/ 📖 July/August 2025 Advocate Issue - Rocks and Sludge in Multifamily: online.fliphtml5.com/rzckk/lfxf/#p=1 🚀 Changing the Game Conference & Expo: mmha.com/changing-the-game 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

The "Rocks and Sludge in Multifamily" issue of The Advocate takes a hard look at the “rocks” that drive our industry forward—and the “sludge” that slows us down. In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan break down the key takeaways, from strategic priorities to the everyday obstacles that impact multi-housing professionals. Get the highlights, insights, and a clear picture of what’s shaping our work right now. 💃 MADACS Gala: mmha.com/Events/MADACS 💻 On-Demand Education: mmha.com/Online 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In the debut episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan tour the AI-themed issue of The Advocate, distilling the biggest ideas—from agentic AI to real-world workflows—into clear takeaways for multi-housing professionals right now. 📜 MHA Certification Programs: mmha.com/Certifications 🏗 Rochester Area Building Communities Conference: mmha.com/Education/Building-Communities 🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

Your new go-to podcast for insights, updates, and conversations shaping Minnesota’s multi-housing industry is almost here! The Brief brings you the key takeaways from The Advocate, upcoming event highlights, and quick answers from mihra—your industry’s AI assistant. Stay tuned for our first full episode launching September 5th! 🏢 Join MHA: mmha.com/Membership 🤖 Meet mihra: mmha.com/mihra   🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net