Guest Blog by Caitlin Magistad
Local & Regional Policy Coordinator

Happy National Voter Registration Day! Held on the fourth Tuesday of September starting in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is an opportunity for communities to celebrate our democracy and raise awareness about the importance of voting. Our local, state, and federal elected officials make important decisions that impact our everyday lives—including where we live.

Guest Blog by Pam Johnson
Policy and Advocacy Manager

As Minnesotans educate ourselves about who to vote for on November 6 in the coming weeks, we just learned a lot more from the two top candidates running for the Lieutenant Governor seat at a well-attended September 12 Housing Forum in Duluth.  Candidates Donna Bergstrom (running with Jeff Johnson for Governor) and Peggy Flannagan (running with Tim Walz for Governor) responded to questions proposed from Homes for All Coalition members and a statewide viewing audience via Uptake livestreaming.  Habitat joined other Homes for All partners in using the forum to frame housing as an important economic driver in our state, critical to Minnesota’s future growth and prosperity.  Missed the event?  You can the UpTake livestream recording here.

Guest Blogger: Noah Keller, Project Manager and Global Engagement Coordinator

Volunteer Ken Berg and Nathalie Castillo using her second-favorite new tool, an impact driver, to secure bottom plates to a stair header at 1404 Barclay Street, St. Paul (her favorite new tool is the table saw).

To celebrate the new partnership between Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and Habitat Dominican Republic (DR), we were honored to host Nathalie Castillo during our Global Village Gone Local Build. Nathalie is the Global Village and Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat DR, and this was her first visit to Minnesota! During her visit, Nathalie built with Global Village volunteers on a new house in St. Paul, she presented on the work and Global Village experience of Habitat DR, and she took in some critical Minnesota cultural experiences, such as the State Fair!

Guest blog by Pam Johnson
Policy and Advocacy Manager

Minnesotans will head to the polls on November 6 to cast ballots for our next Governor-Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State Auditor. All State House Representatives, and one state Senate special election are also on the ballot, as well as all ten members of our federal Congressional delegation—eight federal Representatives and our two federal Senators. There are numerous local races as well. This is an important election and your vote counts!

Guest blogger Ashley Rose, Site Supervisor
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Guest blog by Caitlin Magistad, Local & Regional Policy Coordinator
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Housing costs continue to increase across Minnesota, while incomes have not kept pace. According to a recent report from the Minnesota Housing Partnership, a full-time minimum wage earner can't afford a one-bedroom apartment in any of Minnesota's 87 counties, and at $18.82, Minnesota ranks #22 in the nation for the highest hourly wages required to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Low vacancy rates, limited housing stock, and rising housing costs put pressure on low and moderate-income renters and home buyers alike, impacting families and communities across the state. Too many Minnesotans do not have access to safe, stable, affordable housing—together we can change that!

Guest Blog by Grant Gray
Leadership Giving Officer

With hot coffee and fresh donuts in hand, Builder's Circle volunteers gathered at a Habitat build site for a morning safety talk from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Site Supervisor Dave Madzo and AmeriCorps Matt Benson. As they wrapped up the talk Dave reminded the volunteers that at the heart of everything we do, “Habitat is about building communities."

Guest Blog by CJ Fitzsimons
Women Build Committee Member

Another exciting year of Women Build kicked off June 4th with a strong showing of support from many volunteers and leaders.  One in particular, Twin Cities Habitat's new President & CEO, Chris Coleman, decided his first on-site involvement was to come out and support this excellent program; how awesome!

Guest Blog by Molly Sina

“We love to do this.  There is nothing better in the world than welcoming you into your new home," said Karin O’Connor, a member of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Dedications Committee.

Guest Blog by Molly Sina

Love and joy multiply. This is well-known in the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity community.  And there isn’t a better way to observe and experience this than at our home dedication ceremonies.