Faith groups that partner with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity are helping to eliminate poverty housing and build a stronger community. They commit money and volunteers, putting their faith in action to help build, repair and rehab homes alongside hard-working, low-income families.
“It’s not if you can buy a home, but when.”
That’s what Linda White, Homeownership Advisor at Model Cities, tells the families she’s preparing for homeownership through one-on-one financial coaching. With her background in banking and extensive knowledge of the homeownership process, Linda will meet with clients as many times as they need to work with them on their dream of homeownership.
Great things are happening at Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan Fund, a referral partner with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Like Twin Cities Habitat, Bii Gii Wiin offers financial coaching and prepares people for homeownership. But they offer other services too, such as free tax preparation through a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, micro entrepreneurship training for opening a small business, an Individual Development Account program, a credit enhancement loan product, and financial and homeownership workshops.
Amber Leger, VITA Site Coordinator and Executive Assistant at Bii Gii Wiin, says of the programs at Bii Gii Wiin: “It’s the client’s dream and I’m here to build that with them.”
Guest blog by Jessa Anderson-Reitz
Twin Cities Habitat Staff Member
Thrivent Builds with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity began in 2005, with the mission of providing affordable housing to families. This partnership engages Thrivent members and volunteers to make a difference in their community and engages families to build on the cornerstone of financial security through affordable homeownership. Together, Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity have partnered in neighborhoods throughout the US and across the globe to make a real difference for families and individuals.
From May 9 - 14, Habitat affiliates across the U.S. partnered withValspar during Valspar National Neighborhood Week to tackle projects in their local communities. Projects ranged from landscaping to home builds, with Valspar providing more than $2.5 million in paint donations and financial contributions, in addition to thousands of volunteer hours to the affiliates that participated.
In a challenge that resembles something out of the hit show Project Runway, Twin Cities Habitat is partnering with students from The Arts Institute International Minnesota (Aii) to create unique fashion designs inspired by this year's Hard Hat & Black Tie Gala theme.
Over the past few years, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) has worked with The Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot, the company's associate-led volunteer force, to help provide homeownership opportunities and home repair assistance for veterans of the U. S. military who qualify. The Home Depot Foundation originally awarded Twin Cities Habitat a grant of $200,000 in 2014, as part of its nationwide commitment to improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans an their families. This past year, The Home Depot Foundation awarded an additional $86,250 to Twin Cities Habitat, for continued support of TCHFH's Veterans Initiative. The most recent example of this partnership at work occurred just last week on Bonnie's home in Rockford, MN.
Guest Post By Susan Buechler
Twin Cities Habitat Staff Member
Many hands make good work. That’s always been our belief at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH), whether it’s guiding 750 volunteers a week as they raise walls on new homes or joining the Homes for All coalition -- 150+ local housing groups – to bring citizens’ voices in support of affordable housing to the State Capitol. Habitat couldn’t do the work we do without the backing of many local foundations, both large and small. It’s a symbiotic relationship – our work helps foundations advance their missions.
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!