Current Events and Results

Building the Future: Workforce Housing and Youth Construction Skills

Huge thanks to state legislators and Minnesota Housing!
CSC organized and led a coalition that convinced the 2023 MN state legislature to modify existing legislation so MN public districts or charter public schools can apply for up to $100,000 from the MN Housing Agency to create or expand programs in which students learn construction skills as they build housing for low income people and people experiencing homelessness. In December 2024, the Minnesota Housing Agency allocated $200,000 to two school districts to create programs where students learn construction skills while building housing for low-income people or individuals experiencing homelessness.

ROI (Return on Investment):

  • CSC invested $10,000 in staff time to develop the enabling legislation.

  • So far, $200,000 has been allocated via Minnesota Housing, plus another $1 million via Youthbuild.

  • ROI ranges from 20:1 ($10K to $200K) to 100:1 ($10K to $1.2 million).

  • Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho

    “When I travel around the state, I hear the same challenge everywhere: it’s hard to attract employees when there isn’t enough affordable housing. To tackle this, we need bold and creative solutions, and this program is an incredible step forward.”


    “We’re thrilled that both the Fairmont Area Schools and the Martin County West School District were selected today! We are excited to see the positive impact this program will have in their communities. The overwhelming interest has been amazing, and we’re so happy to announce that we’ll be opening an RFP (Request for Proposals) in January 2025 to grow this program even further.”

  • The Minnesota Housing Agency has announced it will allocate an additional $500,000 in the first half of 2025 to help at least five other public schools launch similar programs. The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued early in January.
    Click here to view the RFP details.

CSC Results: Transforming Lives and Systems

Student & Family Impact:

  • Closing Graduation Gaps: Eliminated a 20+ point high school graduation gap between Black and White students in Cincinnati Public Schools during a time of stricter graduation requirements. This effort, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with over $13 million in grants, demonstrated the power of small schools, service-learning, and community partnerships.

  • Academic Gains in Minnesota: Boosted reading and math achievement and improved family-school collaboration in Minneapolis public schools with support from the Cargill Foundation.

  • College Credit Access: Achieved a 400% increase in the number of low-income students earning college credits in high school through partnerships with Otto Bremer, Frey Family Foundation, and Travelers Foundation.

Policy Impact:

  • Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO): Researched and developed Minnesota’s pioneering legislation allowing high school students to take college courses, which influenced similar programs nationally, like Washington’s Running Start.

  • Teacher Training Reform: Led efforts to require all Minnesota teachers to learn research-based service-learning strategies.

  • Affordable Housing Investment: Advocated for and secured $20 million/year for six years to create permanent affordable housing for low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness.

  • Equity in Education Standards: Created a coalition that successfully challenged the NCAA’s authority to determine high school courses for college preparation, earning support from The New York Times and USA Today.

Recent Work At a Glance

  • Collaboration with high school students from 26 district and charter public schools from greater Minnesota, suburban and urban communities, to help identify and then follow through on students priorities for the 2025 Mn state legislature

    In a November 23 meeting at the Mn State House of Representatives, Students have identified seven priority areas for legislators to consider.  With CSC assistance, students are researching and writing one-two page policy memos for legislators, helping them draft bills, identifying other potential supporters and preparing testimony under the supervision of CSC staff and legislators of both parties.  This effort is being supported by 19 individuals and the following community organizations  City County Credit Union, Edina Realty Foundation, Golden Valley Rotary Club, HealthPartners,  Merrick Community Center and St Paul College

  • Collaboration with Paladin

    With support from the Minnesota Department of Education, CSC is helping students and faculty Paladin Career Technical Academy (in Coon Rapids) design and create an outdoor classroom in a wooden area next to the school.

  • Collaboration with High School for Recording Arts

    With Support from the Minnesota Department of Education, CSC is helping HSRA students research, write and produce three you-tube videos on critical issues identified by the students.  The three subjects are Mn Children & Teens experiencing homelessness, Earning free high school credit while in high school, and developing marketable skills while skill in high school.

  • Collaboration with Higher Ground Academy

    With support from Youthprise and Department of Employment and Economic Development, CSC is helping Higher Ground Academy students research and write about careers that interest them.  This includes interviewing a number of community members, representing various racial and ethnic groups.  After interviewing these professionals, students are writing one-two page explanations of various features of each career.  These essays then will be posted on the internet so that other young people can learn from the HGA  students' research. 

  • Collaboration with Mn Housing Agency to help Mn districts & charter public schools develop applications for funds to create programs in which young people learn construction skills as they build housing for low income Minnesotans and Minnesotans experiencing homeless

    CSC created and led a coalition that convinced the 2023 legislature to, for the first time, create programs explained in the previous sentence.  CSC helped publicize this opportunity via statewide zoom meetings attended by more than 100 people. MN Housing awarded the first two grants.  CSC is working with Mn Housing to help publicize the second round of grants.  Mn Housing has set aside up to $500,000 to award.