Task force co-chairs are New Hope Mayor W. Peter Enck and Mayor Joy Tierney, Plymouth. Other members include: Karen Anderson, Minnetonka; Cathy Busho, Rosemount; Tom Gamec, Ramsey; Sue Gehrz, Falcon Heights; Mary Hamann-Roland, Apple Valley; William Hargis, Woodbury; Elizabeth Kautz, Burnsville; Randy Kelly, St. Paul; Jay Kimble, Stillwater; Dennis Maetzold, Edina; William Mars, Shakopee; Sandy Martin, Shoreview; Lonni McCauley, Coon Rapids; Thomas Ryan, Blaine; R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis; Robert Roepke, Chaska; Mark Steffenson, Maple Grove; and Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Eden Prairie.

The first task force the council named was appointed in March 2000 and issued findings and recommendations in the November 2000 report, Affordable Housing for the Region.

"The task force goes a long way toward consensus building, while at the same time, recognizing that housing happens at the local level," Tierney says. "The availability of affordable housing near job centers and employment opportunities is good forbusiness, it's good for families, it relieves congestion and it's good for the environment," Enck adds.