One out of four homebuyers that partner with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity are single women raising children, and nearly all Habitat homebuyers families include mothers and children.

It’s data points like these that fuel the fight for affordable housing with groups like Women of Habitat. Raising over $135,000 during the 2017 annual luncheon this past October, the annual Hope Builders Luncheon brings women together to fundraise, but also puts the spotlight on issues and facts that cannot be ignored. The statistics below demonstrate the wide desparity between renters and homeowners.

Twin Cities Habitat is proud to announce that Bremer Bank has committed to be the primary partner in its new Home Loan Impact Fund. Bremer has agreed to purchase up to 500 below-market Habitat mortgages over the next four years, more than doubling the number of local families that can partner with Twin Cities Habitat on affordable homeownership.

Guest Blog by Caitlin Magistad
Advocacy Associate, Twin Cities Habitat

Minnesota's legislative session began on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. With no bonding bill or special session in 2016, we're anxious to be back at the Capitol, working to ensure that all Minnesotans have a safe place to call home. 

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has expanded its homeownership program, with the goal of more than doubling the number of families that can purchase a home with an affordable Habitat mortgage* each year. There are now two ways income-qualified families can partner with us to become homeowners.

"Homeownership rates remain at historic lows, falling to 63% for the eighth consecutive year of decline and contributing to crowding and rising costs in the rental market."

- Data from the CFED’s 2016 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard 

Last night, the Minneapolis City Council met to hear from constituents about the 2016 proposed City Budget. Rebecca Lucero, Policy and Community Engagement Manager at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, testified in support of the Make Homes Happen Minneapolis campaign. Here’s her annotated testimony:

Guest Post by Cassie Paulsen- Advocacy Assistant

As you may have heard from last week’s blog post, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is partnering with over 25 local organizations to advocate for a $20 million investment in stable and affordable homes in Minneapolis. Take action now to show your support!

Guest Post by Cassie Paulsen- Advocacy Associate

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is yet again joining forces with over 25 local organizations to advocate for stable and affordable homes for all in Minneapolis! Act now to show your support!

In the same week a report was released naming the Twin Cities one of the most expensive cities for medical costs, a group of leaders from the metro gathered to discuss the impact of housing on health conditions at the third annual Women of Habitat Hope Builder’s Luncheon. An analysis of health care costs by Castlight Health found Twin Cities residents are paying the most on preventive primary care visits compared to 40 other major cities.

One key to running a successful nonprofit is finding partners whose work aligns closely with (or complements) your mission. A very smart woman I know summed it up as, “You must have mutually beneficial partnerships.” After all, there is no such thing as a free lunch—not even in the nonprofit world. This is a strategy that has worked great at bringing significant corporate investment to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s mission over the past 30 years.