Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota

As a local bank, we are dedicated to helping those in our community thrive.      And, as a leader in the affordable housing space, we’re committed to equipping our clients like Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota with the tools, connections, and responsive support they need to provide safe, affordable housing.     In this recent Artful Living Magazine feature, Habitat for Humanity’s CEO, Cristen Incitti shares her story and discusses what led her to Bridgewater Bank>>>    #affordablehousing #womeninbusiness  

Today marked my first day back at work after a four-week paid sabbatical. Last year, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota added a sabbatical policy in which staff could take a 4-week paid leave every 5 years they work with a Habitat entity! Having interned with Habitat for Humanity in Winona County during college and then worked with Habitat Minnesota for over four and a half years, I was thrilled to qualify for this sabbatical. I used the time to recharge and focus on what I love—family, friends, and home. Over the past month, I celebrated milestones with loved ones at birthday parties, baby showers, and weddings. I also dove into some satisfying yard work and enjoyed the fruits (and veggies!) of my labor by picking pears and tomatoes from my garden and cooking up some delicious meals. Additionally, I finally finished a book I'd started and completed several home projects. I’m truly grateful to work for an employer that prioritizes the health and happiness of its team members. Here’s to bringing renewed energy and enthusiasm into the next chapter with Habitat Minnesota! Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota Habitat for Humanity serving Winona County

Habitat Minnesota's President & CEO, Cristen Incitti, participated in a panel discussion this week about the importance of coalitions in advancing policies for affordable housing with Anne Mavity, Executive Director of Minnesota Housing Partnership, and Mark Foster, Vice President, Legislative and Political Affairs with Housing First Minnesota during the Housing Affordability Institute. Habitat's national advocacy platform, Habitat Voices in Action, includes efforts that diminish barriers for creating more affordable homeownership opportunities in our communities. Habitat Minnesota is a part of several coalitions working to advance affordable housing and lending opportunities and bringing people together through advocacy is a key component of our work. #HabitatVoicesInAction

Did you catch us at the state fair? Two weeks ago, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota set up a stand in the Department of Commerce’s booth alongside Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. The day was full of wonderful conversations about the important work Habitat offices are doing across the state to create lasting affordable housing access. We were especially excited to discuss how we’re building and repairing homes to meet near-term climate challenges using solar panels, air source heat pumps, fortified roofing, and other measures. Thank you to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for their partnership and letting us stop by the fair! #mnstatefair #Habitatforhumanity #sustainability #affordablehousing #minnesota #ecofriendly

Last year, in 2023, the Minnesota Legislature authorized Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) payments to counties, cities, and Tribal Nations with the goal of funding affordable housing projects and helping organizations provide affordable and supportive housing! Minnesota Habitat offices are utilizing that local aid money for various projects, including new construction, home safety repairs to help seniors remain in their homes, and support of closing costs for Habitat homebuyers! Last week, we were proud to see two of our network leaders, Kathy Lange from Morrison County Habitat for Humanity and Chad Bouley from Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, participate in a panel raising awareness of the aid. Not only are they acting as leaders in this work, but partners to the Department of Revenue which runs the SAHA program. Kathy Lange, the Executive Director of Morrison County Habitat, applied for an SAHA allocation from Morrison County and was approved for $112,042. In their community, no other organization serves seniors trying to remain in their homes. Their housing stock shortage also makes it complicated for new businesses to attract employees. Most live outside the community and commute in. They use the SAHA money for home safety repairs, gap funding, and closing costs! Chad Bouley, the Executive Director of Central Minnesota Habitat, applied for a SAHA allocation from the City of Sartell, received $84,606, and is approved for a 2nd allocation this coming year for the same amount. They are utilizing the SAHA money to support their third build with Sartell-Saint Stephen High School in Sartell. Not only does the partnership create new housing opportunities in the community, but it also helps students prepare for promising careers in the trades. High school students gain experience in framing, installing siding, roofing, trim, and cabinetry. College students complete the plumbing and electrical work. As a result, 50+ students exit the program ready to start their careers each year. The impact of SAHA is already clear in communities across Minnesota. We are grateful to the Minnesota Legislature for investing in affordable housing and proud to have a strong network that can put that funding into action!

🎡 Join us at the State Fair! 🎡 Tomorrow, Monday, August 26, we will be at the community partner table, within the Minnesota Department of Commerce/Energy Division’s ‘Energy Information Center’ exhibit within the Eco Experience building! Learn more about the innovative work being done by Habitat offices across the state, the importance of building above code, and exciting events taking place in the coming months! FORTIFIED roofing, solar panels, heat pumps, insulated concrete forms, and storm water mitigation are just a few of the techniques being used by Habitat for Humanity in Minnesota today to strengthen our communities in the long term. As we have conversations around the importance of building above code, it's important to remember that we need to be building for the climate of the future. We also need to center the impact climate change has on Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities and low-income neighborhoods that have historically been underserved and exploited by technological advancements. Building above code relative to energy and hazard resilience promotes lasting affordability and centers equity in resilience and carbon emissions reduction activity. Thank you to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity - Twin Cities for their partnership on this fair visit. We can't wait to enjoy a bucket of cookies with you all tomorrow while talking about building a better tomorrow! 🍪 #MNStateFair

Our mission creates impactful moments shared all over Minnesota. Our photographers have captured beautiful images through the years, and today, on #WorldPhotographyDay, we’d like to share a few of our favorites from the past year. 📸 From innovative build methods and engaging school partnerships to energizing advocacy work and powerful personal storytelling, Minnesotans are coming together in amazing ways to strengthen their communities with Habitat.

🌟 We're Hiring! 🌟 Join the Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota team and make a difference in your community. 🏠 We're looking for a passionate Bookkeeper & Office Operations Coordinator to support our work! As the Bookkeeper & Office Operations Coordinator, you'll support the Habitat Minnesota team through sound financial management and office operations support. Find the full job description and application instructions here: https://bit.ly/4cAG6Eg

Join us in extending a warm welcome to our new Events and Administrative Coordinator, Katie Stringer! Katie started with Habitat Minnesota last month. She supports Habitat Minnesota’s programs through event logistics management and data management for fundraising, affiliate relationships, and other internal needs. Before joining Habitat Minnesota, Katie worked as a Real Estate Development Coordinator for College Housing Northwest and as an Economic Justice Manager for Unite Oregon. Both of these experiences were with nonprofit organizations in Portland, Oregon. Katie holds a B.S. in Global Resource Systems from Iowa State University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University. We are excited to see the positive impact she will bring to our organization and the communities we serve. Please join us in giving Katie a warm welcome to Habitat!

Last week, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota's President and CEO, Cristen Incitti, was invited to attend a Rural Housing Roundtable at The White House. Anne Mavity, the Executive Director of Minnesota Housing Partnership, was also in attendance. The goal of the round table was to discuss how USDA and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could best deliver their housing programs. Dr. Basil Gooden, Undersecretary of USDA Rural Development, said, “We want to be evaluated on the impact we have on rural communities.” During the roundtable, Cristen Incitti spoke about the accessibility of Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program in rural areas. She also mentioned the Minnesota Rural Development team and Habitat Minnesota's partnership with them as promising practices to share throughout the nation. Conversations like these are essential for ensuring that rural communities receive the support and resources they need. Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota is committed to advocating for effective housing solutions and partnerships that can make a real difference. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important dialogue. We look forward to continuing our work with USDA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other partners to improve housing accessibility and quality in rural areas. Together, we can create stronger, more resilient communities.