5 Bold Ways Twin Cities Habitat For Humanity Is Redefining Affordable Housing In 2025
The affordable housing crisis continues to challenge the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, but in 2025, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) is responding with its most ambitious and strategically focused initiatives to date. The organization is moving far beyond traditional build models, pivoting toward a comprehensive strategy that tackles systemic barriers and advances racial equity in homeownership. This approach is codified in their "Build Forward Together" strategic plan, demonstrating a commitment not just to building houses, but to building a more equitable community where multi-generational stability is a reality for low- and moderate-income families.
Operating in the seven-county metro area, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has solidified its position as one of the most highly regarded Habitat affiliates nationwide. Their current focus is on closing the persistent racial homeownership gap, which is one of the widest in the country, through targeted programs and monumental neighborhood developments. The organization's fresh approach, highlighted by a massive St. Paul project and a groundbreaking financial assistance program, is setting a new standard for nonprofit housing development across the United States.
Leadership and Vision: The Architects of "Build Forward Together"
The strategic direction of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is guided by a dedicated leadership team focused on long-term systemic impact. Their current strategic plan, "Build Forward Together" (2022-2026), is the roadmap for their bold initiatives.
- President and CEO: Chris Coleman
- Role: Leads the organization, driving the strategic vision and overall operations.
- Background: Former Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, bringing significant political and community development experience to the role. His tenure as Mayor (2006–2018) provides a deep understanding of municipal planning and affordable housing legislation.
- Board Chair: Sharon Sayles Belton
- Role: Chairs the Board of Directors, ensuring mission fidelity and organizational sustainability.
- Background: Former Mayor of Minneapolis (1994–2001), the first woman and first African American to hold the office. Her leadership underscores the organization’s commitment to racial equity and community engagement.
This leadership, with its deep roots in Twin Cities politics and community development, is instrumental in securing the public-private partnerships and legislative wins necessary to execute large-scale projects, such as the recent $18.4 million investment from Ramsey County in 2025 to expand access to affordable housing, including projects in Roseville.
1. The Heights Neighborhood: Twin Cities Habitat's Biggest Project Ever
The most significant and high-profile undertaking for Twin Cities Habitat in 2025 is the massive development at The Heights neighborhood in St. Paul's East Side. This project is a paradigm shift for the organization, moving from scattered single-family builds to a comprehensive, mid-density community development.
- Scale of Impact: TCHFH is building a total of 147 affordable homes on a 12-acre site.
- Housing Mix: The development features a mix of housing types, including townhomes, triplexes, and fourplexes, designed to maximize housing density and affordability.
- Target Homebuyers: These homes are specifically available to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers who meet Twin Cities Habitat’s rigorous homeownership guidelines.
- Community Focus: This project is not just about homes; it’s about creating a vibrant, mixed-income community, addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing units in the region. The sheer size of this development highlights a "think big" approach to solving the housing crisis.
This large-scale, multi-unit approach is a strategic move to create a lasting, multi-generational impact and demonstrate how non-profit organizations can lead major urban redevelopment efforts.
2. Advancing Black Homeownership: Closing the Racial Equity Gap
Recognizing the profound and persistent racial homeownership gap in Minnesota—a gap largely created by systemic and intentional housing discrimination—Twin Cities Habitat launched its Advancing Black Homeownership Program. This initiative is a core component of the "Build Forward Together" plan and represents a bold step toward racial equity in housing.
- Target Group: The program is specifically designed for applicants who self-identify as Foundational Black Americans—Black or African American Minnesotans who meet eligibility requirements.
- Financial Incentive: It operates as a Special Purpose Credit Program (SPCP), providing a substantial financial boost: $50,000 in down payment assistance and entry cost assistance to eligible homebuyers.
- Metropolitan Coverage: The program is available across the entire seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, ensuring broad access to this critical financial aid.
- Comprehensive Support: Beyond the financial assistance, the program is part of a comprehensive support system that includes mortgage counseling and homebuyer education, addressing all facets of successful, long-term homeownership.
The success of this program is being actively tracked through research, helping to shape and improve future efforts to address systemic housing disparities.
3. Community Engagement and Specialized Builds
While large developments and equity programs form the backbone of their strategy, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity remains deeply committed to community engagement through specialized and annual building events that bring diverse groups together.
- The Rainbow Build: TCHFH celebrated its 11th annual Rainbow Build in a recent year, a powerful initiative that brings together more than 130 volunteers from the LGBTQ+ community and allies. This event showcases the organization's commitment to inclusivity and highlights the need for affordable housing across all demographics.
- The ReStore Network: The Twin Cities ReStore locations serve as a vital source of revenue and community recycling. By selling donated new and gently used furniture, appliances, and building materials, the ReStore helps fund the construction of affordable homes while promoting environmental sustainability.
- Home Repair and Preservation: TCHFH’s work extends beyond new construction. They actively engage in home repair and preservation services, which are crucial for maintaining the existing stock of affordable homes and helping current homeowners, particularly seniors and veterans, stay in their houses safely and affordably.
These initiatives, combined with their core mission of building and improving homes in partnership with families, ensure that the organization’s impact is felt across the entire housing continuum, from new construction to critical home repairs. Their vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and they are working toward that vision by advocating for affordable housing legislation and expanding homeownership opportunities across the state.
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