Campaign mailing address: 11217 Ewing Circle South Bloomington Minnesota 55431
Office Sought: 1st District Council
Are you an Incumbent or Challenger: Incumbent
City of Residence: Bloomington
How long have you lived in your community?
47 years
Are you a Homeowner or Renter?
Homeowner
Do you own other real property (e.g. Business, Cabin, Investment, or Rental Property)? If so, which?
No
Describe your civic and/or community engagement.
My civic and community engagement is extensive, with a focus on leadership and long-term commitment to local and regional initiatives. As a proud 1996 graduate of Bloomington Kennedy Senior High School, my involvement has been a core part of my life, earning me the Bloomington Human Relations Award VFW 1296 Everett R McClay. Key Leadership Roles Bloomington Fire Department Pension Committee: 12 years of service. Metro Alliance for Healthy Families: Chaired the fundraising committee for 8 years. Clean Water Action Minnesota Advisory Committee: Served as the chair. Bloomington Noon Rotary: Former president. 35W Solutions: Former Vice Chair. Bloomington Representative: Served on both the Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) and the Minnesota Trade Zone. Other Community Involvement Founding Member: Welcome to Bloomington Committee and the Bloomington Sustainability Coalition. Fundraising: Played a key role in fundraising for the Bloomington Clock Tower. Youth Activities: Involved in both the Boy Scouts and the Bloomington Athletic Association.
What are the most important housing challenges facing your community?
The City of Bloomington is known for being a vibrant and desirable place to live, a fact recognized by external organizations and our own residents alike. As a council member, I’ve seen firsthand how our hard work has cultivated a strong sense of community. However, we must continue to address the significant housing challenges that are a top priority for our city. 1. Affordability and Supply We have made strides, but there remains a critical need for fair housing and an increase in our housing supply. The market is tight, and for many, especially our working families, the dream of homeownership or even finding an affordable rental is becoming harder to achieve. For instance, 45.9% of renter-occupied households are considered “cost-burdened,” paying more than 30% of their income on housing. As someone who has championed our Prevailing Wage Ordinance to ensure our working families do better, I know that when our families succeed, our city succeeds. We need to keep this focus on affordability to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 2. Preserving Existing Housing A major part of our strategy must be protecting the affordable housing we already have. It’s a key piece of our plan to ensure our city continues to be a place where people want to be. Preserving these properties is just as important as building new ones. It is a part of the “Future Built Together” that we have been cultivating for the last 12 years. 3. Meeting Diverse Community Needs Our community is constantly evolving. I’m a proud graduate of Kennedy High School, and my children are on track to go to Jefferson. The diversity of our community, from young families to our valued seniors, means we need a variety of housing options to meet everyone’s needs. Our population is growing more diverse, with 32% of residents identifying as BIPOC, up from 20% in 2010. Our median age is 42.2, so we must also prepare for residents who want to age in place. As part of the Welcome to Bloomington Committee and a champion for our community’s well-being, I am focused on ensuring our housing strategies reflect the needs of all our neighbors. We’ve made significant progress over the last twelve years in making our community a great place to live. Continuing to address these housing challenges is how we ensure that our future is built together for all of Bloomington.
The Twin Cities Metro is facing a housing shortage unlike any we have experienced in recent history. What will you do to increase the number of homes available to residents of your community?
As a council member, I understand the importance of having a clear, actionable plan. The Twin Cities metro is indeed facing a serious housing shortage. My approach to increasing the number of homes available in Bloomington is a three-pronged strategy that leverages the city’s existing strengths and partnerships. First, I will continue to work closely with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). We will focus on: Increasing Homeownership: The HRA’s mission includes helping people not adequately served by the market, and one key way to do this is through homeownership programs. I will ensure we actively promote and fund programs that provide first-time homebuyer assistance and housing rehabilitation loans. Redevelopment: We will continue to use the HRA’s authority to identify and redevelop properties throughout the city. This can transform underutilized land into new housing opportunities, serving a variety of needs. Second, I will partner with the Bloomington Port Authority to use their economic development tools to attract and support housing creation. The Port Authority’s scope has expanded beyond its original focus on the Mall of America site to include citywide real estate development. We will: Incentivize Residential Projects: The Port Authority can work with developers to provide the financial tools and creative placemaking necessary to make new residential developments viable, especially those that meet our city’s need for diverse housing types. Support Business and Residents: The Port Authority’s work in attracting and retaining businesses is directly tied to the need for housing. A strong, growing workforce requires a stable and diverse housing supply. I will advocate for a seamless collaboration between the Port Authority and HRA to ensure our economic growth is matched by housing growth. Third, I will continue my work on the City Council to champion policies that make housing development more feasible. The work we have done over the past 12 years has set a strong foundation, and I will continue to lead on initiatives that encourage the private sector to build and preserve homes at all income levels. This collaborative and strategic approach ensures that we are not just building new homes but are doing so in a way that benefits all of Bloomington.
Minnesota has one of the largest homeownership gaps between Whites and Blacks, Indigenous, and People of Color. This is one of MAR’s primary concerns. What would you propose at the local level to close this home ownership gap?
I am a champion for Fair Housing, and closing the homeownership gap is a central part of that commitment. It is a critical issue that demands a multi-pronged approach, and I believe we can make a significant impact at the local level. First, we need to address the financial barriers. As a council member, I will ensure the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) continues to prioritize and expand its programs that provide direct financial assistance for homeownership. This includes first-time homebuyer assistance and housing rehabilitation loans. These programs must be intentionally designed and promoted to reach communities that have been historically excluded from homeownership. Second, we must actively work to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone who wants to call Bloomington home. I am a member of the Welcome to Bloomington Committee and I support the work of the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (OREIB) and the Racial Equity Strategic Planning Committee (RESPC). These groups are essential to ensuring our city’s policies and practices are not only fair on paper but also in practice. I will continue to work with them to identify and dismantle any systemic barriers to homeownership. Ultimately, a truly great community is one where everyone, regardless of their background, can achieve their dream of homeownership. This isn’t just about a promise; it’s about the future we are creating, together.
How do you think your city can best balance the rights of tenants and property owners to effectively manage rental housing?
Balancing the rights of tenants and property owners is a cornerstone of a healthy and stable community. As a council member, I believe in a fair and unified approach that cultivates a shared vision. To achieve this balance, we must focus on clear communication, accessible resources, and collaborative problem-solving. While Minnesota state law provides a framework for landlord-tenant relationships, the city of Bloomington can be a proactive partner by ensuring residents are aware of their rights and responsibilities. We can do this by promoting resources like HOME Line, which is located right here in Bloomington and provides free legal help for renters. I also believe in fostering an environment where property owners are supported in providing safe, high-quality housing. We can work with groups like the Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MHA), a member of the Fair Housing Implementation Council (FHIC), to share best practices and ensure our city’s policies are reasonable and clear. Our goal should be to encourage a strong, professional relationship between tenants and owners. When both parties are well-informed and have access to mediation and support, we can prevent issues before they escalate, ensuring that we continue to have a vibrant and desirable place to live.
What are your views on property tax rates in your community? Do you have concerns related to your city’s property tax rate? If so, how would you address those concerns once elected?
As a four-term council member, my commitment has always been to a path of fiscal responsibility. A core tenet of my campaign is maintaining the lowest possible taxes with excellent services. I understand that property taxes are a significant concern for our residents. As the data shows, Hennepin County’s average effective property tax rate of 1.16% is higher than the national average. It is my top priority to ensure that our city’s portion of that tax rate remains competitive while still funding the high-quality services our residents expect, from public safety to our beautiful parks. My approach to addressing these concerns is the same approach I’ve used over the last 12 years: a disciplined, strategic, and collaborative one. We’ve taken bold steps on fiscal responsibility, and I will continue to advocate for a transparent and lean budget that prioritizes essential services without placing an undue burden on our residents. The city’s assessor’s office also plays a key role by ensuring fair and equitable property valuations in accordance with state law. I will continue to work with them to make sure the process is clear and accessible to all residents. We’ve made significant progress, and I am ready to continue to lead on fiscal responsibility to ensure that our community’s future is built together.
Please provide links to all social media accounts connected to you or your campaign.
Website: dwaynealowman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dwayne.A.Lowman/
Please list any notable endorsements for your campaign.
AFSCME Council 5, CAarpenters, and Minneapolis Regional Labor Federaton
