At Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, we build all kinds of homes across the metro. Our portfolio covers multiple home types and serves buyers and communities differently depending on the neighborhood. Here's a closer look at what's currently underway.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is actively building or developing plans for homes in more than 17 communities across the seven-county metro. "New construction includes stand-alone single-family homes, twin homes, and rowhomes — and our rehab work includes those same types," says Beth Pfeifer, VP of Real Estate Development.
The Heights in East St. Paul is our largest development ever, and currently our most well-known project. We're finishing up 74 homes in its first phase and will build 147 homes total.
It shouldn't go unnoticed that we have important work underway in every corner of the Twin Cities, including: Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Columbia Heights, Edina, Golden Valley, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Prior Lake, Roseville, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury. Each project is shaped by the local needs and opportunities in that community.
We currently build three kinds of homes that each meet a different need: stand alone single-family homes, twin homes, and rowhomes:
The type of home we build in a given area depends on what fits the site and the people we are building for. Every home is built with help from volunteers who show up to make affordable homeownership possible across the metro.
Location means finding land in communities with real interest in affordable homeownership.
Project costs are affected by whether land can be donated or purchased at a reduced price through a private owner or a city proposal process.
Funding covers the rest, with public and private dollars supporting both construction and buyer affordability assistance.
Community support is vital for these projects. "Volunteers and donors who are already engaged with our mission are often a great source of referrals — for example, revitalizing an underused parking lot at a church to create affordable housing," says Beth.
Before and after images of an A Brush with Kindness repair project.
New construction starts from the ground up on available land or where a previous structure was demolished. Rehab projects take existing homes that need repair and restore them into quality, affordable options for first-time buyers. Both approaches help get people into homes they can afford.
Rehab projects, or repair projects, play an important role in preserving the homes people already have and helping families remain rooted in the communities they love. Fixing a front porch or repairing a roof can have a big impact on housing stability.
The rehab vs. new construction depends on the community. In Minneapolis, the city makes lots available to us each year and provides funding to support new construction on those sites. In communities like Edina and Roseville, we partner with the city to identify homeowners who are ready to sell homes, but their homes need some attention. They can sell the home to Habitat, and we'll fix it up (rehab/repair it), and a Habitat family will move in.
If you are exploring homeownership for the first time, take a look at our projects. Our portfolio is active and growing! If any of these home types sounds right for you, learn more about how to get started with our Homeownership Program.
And if you’re curious about financing or paying for a home in one of our projects, learn more about TruePath Mortgage, available to low and moderate income households in the metro.
Beth says, "We have a great team of staff dedicated to helping you find the home that is right for you and ensuring that you are informed and supported throughout that process."