Letter to House re: HF1477 and 2569
Fridley Civic Campus
March 25, 2025
Co-Chair Schomacker & Co-Chair Noor,
As the Mayor of Fridley, I am writing in support of House Files 1477 and 2569. Our city has experienced
firsthand the challenges created by the concentrated growth of congregate care facilities. While these
facilities provide valuable services, their rapid proliferation has created pressures on our community's
infrastructure, housing market, and municipal resources.
In Fridley, we've seen a dramatic transformation of our residential landscape. These facilities are not just
providing care—they are fundamentally altering our neighborhood composition. One of the most
pressing issues is the impact on our housing stock. Congregate care providers are purchasing single
family homes at an unprecedented rate, effectively pricing out first-time homebuyers and young families
who have traditionally been the backbone of our community.
HF 1477 is critical as it reinstates local government life safety inspections. In Fridley, our housing
inspectors intimately understand our community's specific needs and can provide more targeted, effective
oversight. We know our local providers and understand the nuanced challenges of maintaining safe, high-
quality care facilities.
HF 2569's proposed distancing provisions are equally important. By preventing the over-concentration of
these facilities in specific communities like Fridley, the bill would help distribute care facilities more
equitably across the state. This approach mirrors successful models in Minneapolis and St. Paul and would
provide much-needed relief to communities bearing a disproportionate load.
Our goal is not to obstruct care for vulnerable populations, but to ensure a balanced, sustainable
approach that supports both residents and the broader community. These bills represent a thoughtful
path forward.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dave Ostwald
7071 University Ave N.E. Fridley, MN 55432 763-571-3450 FAX: 763-571-1287 FridleyMN.gov