Habitat for Humanity builds a new home – for itself

Susan Haigh, President and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, in front of their new headquarters under construction at University Ave. and Prior Ave. in St. Paul. Their new building is expected to be finished this January. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

By JILL BOOGREN

After more than 25 years providing homes to families throughout the metro area, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity will soon be moving into a new home of its own. Construction of their new headquarters at University Ave. and Prior Ave. is underway and expected to be finished in January.

Habitat works to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities by building homes and providing zero-interest mortgage rates for qualifying families. They also help with small-scale home repairs. This year, their 1,000th home was bought and 1,500th repaired, marking two huge milestones for the organization.

“It’s exciting to have those hit as we’re prepared to move into this space in this wonderful community,” said President and CEO Susan Haigh.

Having grown from its origins in a church basement to its current location on 4th St. in Minneapolis, Twin Cities Habitat now serves 56 cities in the seven-county metro area. In a letter to supporters, Haigh said the number of people in need is “skyrocketing” (half of families with incomes under $35,000 spend too much of their income on housing). The current building is “overcrowded, run down and difficult to find.”

“We envision a space where we can serve more families, build more homes, and strengthen our partnerships with communities throughout the region,” wrote Haigh.

The new building will house the organization’s 90 employees, plus 30-40 more people who come and go. It will also serve the many volunteers Habitat relies on to do their work (17,000 people help each year with everything from building homes to doing mailings).

Above all, the new space is being designed for the families. Everyone participating in Habitat’s programs will come to headquarters at some point – for orientation, to take classes, or to close on a mortgage. Accessibility was key.

The site was carefully chosen for its central location between St. Paul and Minneapolis and its proximity to bus stops, and soon, light rail.

“We intentionally built on light rail so families can get to us,” said Habitat spokesperson Matt Haugen. The headquarters are a block west of the Fairview station.

It was also important for the building to be inviting – large windows and its front entrance face University Ave. – and to reflect Habitat’s values.

“It is a welcoming street presence, but yet it is modest,” said Haigh. “It’s not glamorous or lavish. It’s simple. It’s functional. It represents the quality we build in our Habitat homes.”

It will be LEED certified, meaning it will meet high standards for health, energy efficiency and lower operating costs, standards Habitat strives for in its homes as well (15 are LEED certified).

Haugen said all homes use Energy Star appliances and are built with high energy efficiency to minimize heating and fuel costs.

Habitat Homeownership

To buy a Habitat home, families go through an orientation, and eligible families are placed in a matching pool. While waiting for a home, they’re required to take 11 classes covering insurance, financial fitness, and home and yard maintenance — often new for people coming from living situations where landlords have that responsibility.

Ultimately, families are matched to a home based on their preferences and other considerations — access to work, proximity to school, number of bedrooms — to make sure it’s the right fit.

“We want to put them in a situation where they’ll succeed,” said Haugen.

This is a process St. Paul resident Khou Vang knows inside and out. She still lives in the Habitat home her parents purchased 11 years ago and now works with the organization as a homeowner training and engagement liaison.

“I always knew I wanted to come back to Habitat, either volunteering or even to get a job,” said Vang. “The volunteers are fabulous. I want to surround myself with these amazing people.”

News of the job felt the same as when her mom was selected for a home, she said. “When I told my mom, she was super excited.”

Families are required to put in 300-500 hours of sweat equity by volunteering. So at age 15 Vang learned how to sheetrock, paint, mud the walls, sand and prime the deck — of which she was very proud. These are skills that have been helpful ever since.

“Home ownership is a continuous thing. You gotta mow the lawn, clean the gutters, re-caulk the bathrooms,” she said. “You own a home, you’re responsible for it. It’s never ending.”

Now she teaches this to families who have been matched to a home, helping ensure they fulfill their requirements, earn equity hours, and complete their training.

Vang remembers the day she moved with her mom, Chong Xiong, and her dad, Chong Ly Vang, her three sisters, Sia, Sherry and Julie, and her brother Shoua, from a six-unit apartment building to their new home. She had just a box of her own things. It soon sunk it that she had space and could have people over in their backyard.

“I love to grill,” she said. “It’s what everybody dreams about, having your own place, having family and friends over.”

Their volunteer mentor has become a family friend who still comes over to help, which Vang cherishes. “I think that’s why I’m here. I want families to have the same experience my family did.”

Vang thinks the new location will be a lot easier for families and help make a better connection with the community.

“I’m always in awe of what the families do to stay part of the program,” said Vang. “They drop everything. They’re really focused. They use vacation hours. They do whatever they can.”

In a brief walk-through Mary Schumacher, chief operating officer, showed the reception area with a fireplace made of bricks reclaimed from the site. She said a quilt was being made – also by volunteers – using fabric given by each family that will be displayed behind the front desk. There will be a space for kids to play while their parents are signing a mortgage or taking care of other business.

The excitement, as people see the space come together, is palpable.

“The building is going to look amazing. I’m very excited for the families to come see us,” said Vang. “You move in, it’s the same thing as with moving into a new home.”

About a quarter of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity homes are in St. Paul. It is one of 30 affiliates in Minnesota.