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about us

We transform, redeem & engage.

Our Vision:
Neighbors raising their collective voices to address injustice and overcome the barriers that perpetuate inequity.

Our Mission:
The mission of Urban Homeworks is to perpetuate the hope of Jesus Christ through innovative community development.

Urban Homeworks catalyzes powerful people, using equitable housing as a platform to build community. We transform vacant or distressed properties into dignified, healthy homes in neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul, redeeming real estate so that the community can catalyze change agents and leaders.

Our People Oriented Development (POD) model engages people in determining what their neighborhoods look like, catalyzes them to become powerful advocates, and promotes active neighboring. This work helps reverse deeply entrenched inequities allowing for solutions to emerge organically from within neighborhoods.

average days in Urban Homeworks housing
days | longest length of stay in UHW housing
total homes redeveloped
people currently housed

2019 Annual Report & Donor List | Click Here

2018 Annual Report | Click Here
2018 Donor List | Click Here

what we do

 

Housing

Urban Homeworks focuses the combined resources of the public, private and faith sectors to transform vacant, condemned, or underutilized properties and vacant lots into quality, attainable places to live for low to moderate income households.

Housing has been one of the primary ways that racialized wealth gaps have been maintained in our country’s history.  Our goal is to transform housing into a redemptive force not only for the resident or owner, but for the contractors, vendors, and individuals and businesses that benefit from the development and management of the housing we work with.

Our ultimate aim is dignified housing – housing that is both affordable and high quality, and includes a supportive network with a responsive landlord and resources from local community partners.

With dollars leveraged from public and philanthropic sectors, Urban Homeworks offers rental and homeownership opportunities for a broad range of income levels.

Dignified Rentals

Urban Homeworks provides quality rental  housing that is both affordable and dignified.  Our expertise is in small-scale, scattered site housing.  Partnerships with local social service organizations often add support to assist rental families in gaining greater stability.  

In November of 2018, after careful evaluation we decided to bring in Property Solutions and Services as our third-party property management company. Beyond our properties, they manage 500+ units through Minneapolis and St Paul, have significant expertise in funder regulations (compliance), and experience working in the neighborhoods we’re located.

Email rental@urbanhomeworks.org to be notified when vacancies become available. 

Qualifications for Renting

Rental History
Positive and Verifiable rental history 12 months of the past 36 months  

No Negative Rental History in the past 36 months (Eviction, Money Owed, Damage to property)   

Verifiable Gross Income
Required minimum monthly income of 2 ½ x monthly rent  

Pass Criminal Background Check
A record of no “adverse” criminal convictions for at least five years: an adverse criminal conviction or incarceration record is considered a history which would adversely affect the safety, well-being of residents, staff or which would adversely affect the viability of Urban Homeworks. Any record of any sexual offense, arson, or serious violent felonies; will automatically disqualify an applicant household. 

No Outstanding Utility Bills
You must have the ability to have utilities in your name where required

Homeownership

Urban Homeworks transforms quality single-family homes, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, for purchase through a regular loan buying process. Houses available for sale include high-quality rehabs as well as new constructions.

Houses available for sale include high-quality rehabs as well as new construction, and are primarily restricted to buyers earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Email homeownership@urbanhomeworks.org to be notified when properties are listed for sale.
Urban Homeworks does not currently provide the following services:
  • Homeownership or financial counseling (contact the MN Homeownership Center to find a counselor and help with purchasing https://www.hocmn.org/buyingahome/),
  • Lease to purchase contract
  • Contracts for deed
We are developing programs for residents to directly or cooperatively purchase our small multi-family properties. If you are interested in receiving updates on properties for sale and the small multi-family ownership programs as they develop, sign-up for updates by contacting homeownership@urbanhomeworks.org.

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Geography

We focus most of our homeownership projects on North Minneapolis and Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul. These communities experienced high levels of vacancy and foreclosure rates during the great recession and have only recently started to recover property values.  

Reinvestment

As the housing market stabilizes and values appreciate in these areas, investors with a focus on profit are increasingly being drawn to purchase properties in these areas. Our goal is to facilitate community ownership in these properties before they are bought up by investors and to keep prices at an attainable purchase level for a variety of household sizes and incomes.    

Pre-qualifications for Prospective Buyers

Meet required income guidelines as defined in each property listing

City of Lakes Community Land Trust properties have additional application and qualification requirements

Typically agree to occupy the home as their primary residence for at least 5 years 

Equity & Engagement

Urban Homeworks uses housing as a platform to catalyze powerful people in becoming change agents. We believe people are not beneficiaries of charity but actors in their own destiny. Families make homes, homes make neighbors and neighbors create community.  

We focus on both the physical structure of houses and the people  in the homes.  This is what we call People Oriented Development.  (POD)   

Leadership Council

Our POD Council, made from both Urban Homeworks’ residents and their neighbors, promotes leadership and civic engagement, This leadership cohort informs and drives our POD vision and activities. 

Activities

Social activities are essential to forming healthy and sustainable communities, in spaces where we have fun and build trust we gain the capacity to work together for the changes we seek in our community. 

Education

Educational opportunities are a key component, so renters and homeowners understand their rights and responsibilities in building a sustainable and equitable community.  We provide classes and training experiences in partnership with community collaborators.

Community Organizing

Our organizing activities take place in the context of a trusting environment where people can share stories and seek solutions.  This group then commits to act together in confronting injustice and seeking equity. 

Community Collaborators

Urban Homeworks collaborates with community partners to influence collective positive change. We build on and contribute to the work of others to encourage sustainable, people-based solutions for the stability, health, and well-being of our neighbors and neighborhoods.

get involved

Volunteers

Volunteers are essential to our work.

They provide on-site labor, office support, donations, holiday baskets and more. We are eager to partner with you and your group for a meaningful experience for us both.

Want to learn more about volunteering with us?

On-Site Volunteering

Join us in renovating a newly acquired property or revitalizing an apartment between residents. This work can include cleaning, painting, light carpentry, light demolition, landscaping, etc. No experience is necessary, and all tools are provided.   

Groups of 10-15 volunteers  
Work day typically runs 8:30am – 4:00pm  

When you volunteer with a group your sponsorship helps keep our housing affordable to the families we serve. 

We ask churches and faith groups to contribute $1,000/day and corporations $1,500/day to cover additional volunteer expenses like insurance,  supplies  and staffing.   

Interested in having a group join us?

Please fill out the group volunteer form here.

Individual

We dedicate the 3rd Saturday of every month to individuals! Sign up today for an opportunity to live out your beliefs and network with a group of like-minded individuals!

Max 15 volunteers per day
Work day typically runs 9:00am – 1:00pm 
No fee to join us on individual volunteer days

Click here to apply to volunteer.

Baskets

Volunteer without ever swinging a hammer! Fill this need anywhere, anytime, from anyplace. Engage your children, youth group, or office by putting together a basket filled with items that would be useful as a new neighbor.

Every year, we welcome home at least 60 families, and their journeys warrant a celebration. By putting together baskets you’re playing an integral role in their stability and our community building efforts. We are always in need of baskets. Contact our team to get started!   

Office Volunteers and Interns*

We need consistent volunteers to help in the office. Hours can be flexible – sometime between 9 and 5 on most days.  

To learn more about office volunteer opportunities please contact Emily at emilyl@urbanhomeworks.org

*View our current internships & job openings here 

Administrative & Database Management
Filing, database updating and entry, during office hours. Attention to detail and computer skills required, but training provided.   

Reporter
Gather stories and pictures from our different program areas and help prepare them for our communications. No camera required, but photography and writing/editing abilities preferred.   

Event Coordination
Help us tackle the planning process as we get ready for events during the year, including fundraisers and celebrations.   

Community Outreach
Distribute flyers door-to-door to share information about homeownership possibilities. Excellent communication skills required. Walking required. Suggested 4–5 hours/week. 

who we are

Director’s Team

AsaleSol Young

AsaleSol Young

Executive Director
AsaleSol Young

AsaleSol Young

Executive Director
"Stand in front of the people you fear and speak your [truth], even if your voice shakes." Maggie Kuhn

What brought you to UHW?
The power of the work, audacity of the mission, and trust in folks who lead.

Key experience that helps you do your current role well?
Experienced the struggle of my own underfunded vision and learned the hardest way that "cash is king," but the people still have a vote!

Fun fact about yourself?
Certified PADI Scuba divemaster and proud of it! In the depths of the sea is where I find my peace.

Lindsey Hunter

Lindsey Hunter

Human Resources Director
Lindsey Hunter

Lindsey Hunter

Human Resources Director
"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same” - Marianne Williamson

What brought you to UHW?
The radical audacity to drive towards such a complex mission and the inspiring team that has resiliently and excitingly agreed to be on the bus headed there.

Key experience that helps you do your current role well?
One of the key learnings for me is to trust my instincts.

Fun fact about yourself?
Live music is my ultimate love!

 
Anne Ketz

Anne Ketz

Real Estate Development Director
Anne Ketz

Anne Ketz

Real Estate Development Director
"Be the change you wish to see in the world"- Mahatma Gandhi

What brought you to UHW?
The focus on community and equity, and for my role in particular, the focus on reclaiming, rehabbing, and reusing real estate to benefit those historically left out of the system.

Key experience that helps you do your current role well?
Project management and finance experience combined with a Masters in Historic Preservation which, deceiving by its name alone, taught me not only about the reuse of existing buildings, but also the impact the built environment has on people and community, and the racist history of housing, real estate and finance policies and practices in the US. These experiences drive me in my role to help move toward a better future through the power of real estate.

Fun fact about yourself?
I love the community of the city and the solitude of nature equally and split my time between both. A lesser known fun fact, I previously served in the MN Air National Guard as an Information Management specialist.

Randy Hanson, CPA

Randy Hanson, CPA

Finance Director
Randy Hanson, CPA

    Randy Hanson, CPA

    Finance Director

    How long have you worked at UHW?     

    Just started

     

    What brought you to UHW and why do you continue to believe in the mission?

    UHW’s compelling mission, vision, and values, combined with my own journey to use my business background and skills to contribute to closing the inequality gap, makes this job an almost perfect fit.

     

    What was your first job?

    Home-to-home milk delivery, my Dad was my boss, the route in North Minneapolis!

     

    If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?

    Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Province, China

    -*-*-

    Fun Fact:

    I am fascinated by other cultures and languages; My wife and I raised our family of four in Tianjin, China.

     

    Leadership Team

    Arian Arriola

    Arian Arriola

    Communications and Marketing Manager
    Arian Arriola

    Arian Arriola

    Communications and Marketing Manager
    Kelsey Dellwo

    Kelsey Dellwo

    Sr. Accountant
    Kelsey Dellwo

    Kelsey Dellwo

    Sr. Accountant

    How long have you worked at UHW?     

    1 Month

     

    What brought you to UHW and why do you continue to believe in the mission?
    I wanted to partner with an organization that was looking to do good in the community, an organization I could be proud to work for.

     

    If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?     

    Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?

    Pacific Islands

    Tiffany Dykes

    Tiffany Dykes

    Grants Manager
    Tiffany Dykes

      Tiffany Dykes

      Grants Manager
      Yuri Harper

      Yuri Harper

      Housing Specialist, NAZ
      Yuri Harper

      Yuri Harper

      Housing Specialist, NAZ
      "Language is often our first act of resistance. It matters how we talk about the work we do; the words we use or the words we create matter to describe the world we live in, the freedom and justice we deserve. It matters now whether you call yourself protesters or organizers, activists or the like. Whatever title you assume, be the people committed to fighting for accountability and justice. Let that be what defines you.” DeRay Mckesson
      Marque Jensen

      Marque Jensen

      Equity and Engagement Manager
      Marque Jensen

      Marque Jensen

      Equity and Engagement Manager
      “A church that does not provoke any crisis, preach a gospel that does not unsettle, proclaim a word of God that does not get under anyone's skin or a word of God that does not touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed: what kind of gospel is that?” ― Oscar A. Romero

      What brought you to UHW?
      As a Northsider, engaged in the community, and I have been a fan of UHW since the early days, I came on staff to help organize our tenants and other neighbors to expand our impact of just and dignified housing in the community.

      Key experience that helps you do your current role well?
      Having seen families evicted, and loosing everything from furniture to family photos, I realize we must find ways to keep this from happening. The cost on our society and these families is unacceptable.

      Fun fact about yourself?
      People say I am fairly good at dancing " el Zapatiado."

      Azad Lassiter

      Azad Lassiter

      Real Estate Development Project Manager
      Azad Lassiter

      Azad Lassiter

      Real Estate Development Project Manager
      Emily Lassiter

      Emily Lassiter

      Sr. Development Officer
      Emily Lassiter

      Emily Lassiter

      Sr. Development Officer
      "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou
      Joyce Thomas

      Joyce Thomas

      Office and Engagement Coordinator
      Joyce Thomas

      Joyce Thomas

      Office and Engagement Coordinator
      "All things are possible! The key is to identify what you want, claim it for yourself, and believe that you are worthy to have it." Iyanla Vanzant
      Barbara White

      Barbara White

      Real Estate Development & Construction Coordinator
      Barbara White

      Barbara White

      Real Estate Development & Construction Coordinator
      "Live, love, laugh, leave a legacy." Unknown
      Want to join the team? Learn more about current opportunities, here.

      Board of Directors

        • Collin Barr, Treasurer | President – Ryan Companies, North Region
        • Terry Becker | Former President – Riverway LLC
        • Shanelle Hall | Client Services Supervisor, Community Action Partnership
        • Becky Landon | CEO – Landon Group, LLC
        • Danyika Leonard, Co-Chair | Policy Director, Education Evolving
        • Claudia Oxley, Co-Chair | Retired
        • Lee Schafer | Business Columnist – Star Tribune
        • Kayla Schuchman | Director of Housing, City of St. Paul

      Partners

      • Traditions Capital Bank
      • The Kirk and Julie Cousins Foundation
      • Bell Lumber and Pole
      • Christ Presbyterian Church
      • Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia
        (Renters United for Justice)         

      • Nexus Community Partners
      • Northside Home LLC 
      • Normandale Housing
      • Property Solutions and Services (PSS)
      • CURA
      • MN Housing Finance Agency 

      • City of Minneapolis
      • City of St. Paul
      • Project for Pride in Living
      • Twin Cities Land Bank
      • Sunrise Banks 

      • Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
      • Home Line
      • LISC
      • Riverway Foundation
      • Twin Cities Rise
      • Success Computer Consulting 

      updates

      Urban Homeworks

      June 15, 2021

      Celebrate Juneteeth!

      Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States nearly 2 1/2 years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on June 19th, 1865. Check out the list of activities organized by the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board and Juneteenth Community Board commemorating Juneteenth:

      June 13-19: Juneteenth Story Strolls Story Strolls are a fun way to enjoy reading while spending time outdoors. Community members are invited to visit the park and walk the path as they read the book. This is a self-guided tour that families can enjoy at their leisure.

      Story Stroll signs will be up on a continuous basis for the week.

      “Black is a Rainbow Color” by Angela Joy
      Location: Trails near Theodore Wirth Beach area “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper

      “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper
      Location: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park “The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander

      “The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander
      Location: North Commons Park. Presented in collaboration with Hennepin County Library. 

      Presented in collaboration with Hennepin County Library

      June 15 (Dusk/9 pm):
      Drive-In Movie: “42”
      Location: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board Headquarters
      Register Here

      June 17 (6-8 pm):
      Community Panel Discussion – Bridging the Gap Virtual

      June 18 (7-9 pm):
      Shingle Creek Juneteenth Family Night
      Location: Creekview Park
      – Announcement of Essay Contest Award Winner and Coloring Contest 
      – DJ music provided Djdime
      – A special announcement from General Granger 
      – Youth dance performance  Distribution of Juneteenth Activity Bags

      June 18 (Dusk/9 pm):
      Outdoor Movie: The Great Debaters
      Location: Creekview Park All June 18th activities presented in collaboration with Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association and Creekview Park. 

      June 19 (10 am -Noon):
      Community Panel Discussion – Public Safety: Where Do We Go From Now
      Virtual (1 pm – 3 pm)
      Music in the Park – DJ D.I.M.E., Jovonta Patton, Royal Family Music Group
      Flight for Freedom – Kite Flight
      Location: Bethune Park
      9 pm
      Outdoor Movie: Jumanji: The Next Level
      Location: Webber Park

      More ways to learn about Juneteenth:

      June 1, 2021

      People Oriented Development (POD Power)…

      The first quarter of 2021 pushed us into new places of growth and strength. While 2020 was a challenging year of reacting to traumatic and confusing events, 2021 has been a time to build on the relationships and trust deepened throughout such a difficult time.

      In this first quarter of 2021:

      • We hosted two virtual POD meetings with residents, with 23 residents attending (a POD is a group of UHW residents who live within two blocks or less of one another).
      • We distributed $250 to three PODs for February community-building activities.
      • Four of our residents attended a class hosted by our partner Hope Community to receive support in purchasing a duplex in the community.

      We also paid out $125,000 to 70 different Minneapolis residents to help with overdue rent and utilities because of COVID-19 losses. Out of those individuals:

      • 50% were UHW residents
      • 25% were residents of Al Maa’uun housing (a partner organization we collaborated with)
      • 25% were undocumented families who did not qualify for government assistance earlier in the pandemic

      We have begun training with 10 of our residents to better organize and leverage power within their community as we work together for equity and justice. The class was a part of the Virtual Housing Justice Forum hosted by Urban Homeworks in partnership with elected officials, community members, and partner organizations on May 20th over Zoom. Visit www.urbanhomeworks.org/hjf to see highlights from the forum.

      We’re grateful to directly hear the stories and see the impacts YOUR SUPPORT has in our community, like:

      • The person who tears up every time she recounts how UHW helped her after the Drake fire left her and her five kids homeless;
      • The family who, upon receiving their rent support check, invited us in and shared stories from the whole family about how COVID impacted them;
      • And all the families who are grateful to have a safe home for their children to study and do school work thanks to the support you and our partner NAZ (Northside Achievement Zone) provide.

      contact us

        • 1110 West Broadway Ave
          Minneapolis, MN 55411
        • Mon, Tue, Thu | 9 am-5 pm
          Wed | 10 am-5 pm
          Fri | 9 am-3 pm
      • General information 612-724-9002
      • Donation related information (only) 612-399-6165
      • Careers