[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 188 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1587-E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMEMORATING CHIP HALBACH'S RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Chip Halbach's 
retirement in September of 2017 after 30 years of service with the 
Minnesota Housing Partnership.
  Chip has long been an advocate for affordable housing for Minnesota 
residents. In 1987, Chip founded Minneapolis Housing Partnership (MHP). 
MHP convenes, guides, and supports a diversity of partners working to 
improve conditions of home and community. Initially, MHP's focus was 
informing housing groups and partners on pending legislation. MHP 
evolved to become a major provider of technical assistance and 
financial support to increase the capacity of organizations building 
and developing affordable housing. MHP has served as an intermediary 
for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  Seeing the need to bring together the affordable housing community, 
Chip Halbach

[[Page E1588]]

started the Homes for All Coalition. The Homes for All Coalition is a 
statewide coalition that works to provide safe, stable, and affordable 
housing for people across all income levels. From working to increase 
rental subsidies, to improving infrastructure at manufactured housing 
parks, and resources for first time homebuyers, Homes for All is 
tackling the diverse range of housing issues facing Minnesotans.
  Chip is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of federal and 
state housing programs, sophisticated housing finance tools and their 
history. Policymakers and elected officials have often drawn on Chip's 
wealth of knowledge and expertise in the affordable housing field. Many 
have cheekily quipped, ``before `Google' there was Chip Halbach.''
  Chip Halbach's leadership has helped shape legislation, provided 
education, and secured money to create safe, decent, affordable places 
for families and individuals to live. His steady leadership leaves the 
Minnesota Housing Partnership poised to move forward in tackling our 
affordable housing crisis. I want to thank Mr. Halbach for all his 
years of service. His presence will be missed, but his contributions 
will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________