Our Mission: The mission of Urban Homeworks is to perpetuate the hope of Jesus Christ through innovative community development.
Our Vision: Neighbors raising their collective voices to address injustice and overcome the barriers that perpetuate inequity.
Urban Homeworks catalyzes powerful people, using equitable housing as a platform to build community and create social change. We use housing as a platform to inspire people in becoming change agents. This work is not charity. It is a partnership of neighbors creating a new and just future.
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.
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.
We Provide 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.
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.
**If you are a resident and have maintenance concerns, please reach Property Solutions and Services at the numbers below:
UHW / PSS Maintenance Line: 612-598-6545
UHW / PSS EMERGENCY Line: 612-746-0400
Are you looking for housing?
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
Looking for your next home with Urban Homeworks?
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.
Pre-qualifications for Prospective Buyers
Meet required income guidelines as defined in each property listing
City of Lakes Community Land Trust propertieshave additional application and qualification requirements
Typically agree to occupy the home as their primary residence for at least 5 years
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.
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.
What We Do
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
Volunteer
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.
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
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 welcome 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!
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
Staff
AsaleSol Young
Executive Director
AsaleSol Young
Executive Director
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
As someone dedicated to racial justice, the impact of housing instability on a community’s capacity to thrive is undeniable. When I started working at Urban Homeworks in 2017 as a Grants Manager, I was looking to support organizations doing crucial racial justice work. Folks I knew and trusted were working here, so I leaned in to offer helpful contributions.
Anne Ketz
Real Estate Development Director
Anne Ketz
Real Estate Development Director
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
I was not familiar with UHW before applying in 2017. At the time I applied, I was seeking a role in non-profit real estate development; I was especially drawn to the emphasis at UHW of a “people first” mentality and the community-centered work of the “People Oriented Developments”; the small-scale block-by-block focus of the real estate development work; the reclaiming of properties long-abandoned or poorly run by absent landlords; an opportunity to work on both homeownership and rental projects providing quality, attainable housing opportunities, and contributing to the effort in reducing the homeownership disparity between black and white households in Minneapolis.
Randy Hanson, CPA
Finance Director
Randy Hanson, CPA
Finance Director
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
As I read about Urban Homeworks on their website, as I saw that there was a place for me to serve and contribute to the mission, and as I got to know the great people who work here, I said, “I am IN!”
Paul Vliem
Development Director
Paul Vliem
Development Director
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
So many reasons!! Its values-based mission; its commitment to centering local community in all we do; its understanding of the power of quality affordable homes in creating healthy, resilient communities; and our ability to use the resources committed to this mission to create outsized impact in our community (307 homes built/redeveloped and counting!)
Ray Camper
Equity & Engagement Director
Ray Camper
Equity & Engagement Director
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
What brought me to Urban Homeworks was the opportunity to work with an organization that would allow me to fully utilize my passion for political and community engagement in a way that would benefit the residents we serve as well as the surrounding communities that our residents reside within.
Arian Arriola
Communications and Marketing Manager
Arian Arriola
Communications and Marketing Manager
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
As someone artistically inclined and growing up in Minneapolis, I wanted to find a place to be myself and express my talents. Urban Homeworks has allowed me to use those talents while learning about our BIPOC communities.
Kelsey Dellwo
Sr. Accountant
Kelsey Dellwo
Sr. Accountant
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
The pandemic put a lot into perspective for me. It became more important than ever for me to work with an organization whose values mirrored my own, and Urban Homeworks was the perfect fit! They genuinely care about their employees and the community, and I feel proud to work for the organization.
Tiffany Dykes
Institutional Relations Manager
Tiffany Dykes
Institutional Relations Manager
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
Purchasing my first home reaffirmed my commitment to housing justice. I wanted to work with an organization that wasn’t just housing families but fighting to remove the barriers that helped perpetuate the housing crisis.
Yuri Harper
Family Achievement Coach, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
Yuri Harper
Family Achievement Coach, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
NAZ brought me to UHW. I started as the Housing Specialist in 2017 (I think). The NAZ strategy placed the housing specialist at one of our housing partners.
I love being part of the UHW team because the mission helped me understand Christ in a different way that I appreciate. Housing is so foundational and an absolute right for everyone. I am proud to work on housing justice and anti-racism with these amazing people.
Azad Lassiter
Real Estate Development Project Manager
Azad Lassiter
Real Estate Development Project Manager
Emily Lassiter
Sr. Development Officer
Emily Lassiter
Sr. Development Officer
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
After starting a family, I wanted to move back to my home state of Minnesota and began searching for non-profits doing meaningful work. Urban Homeworks caught my attention because of its bold mission statement proclaiming revolutionary hope. The organizational commitment to address root causes of injustice and honestly confront systemic racism as a root cause is what sold me. I love working for an organization that continually challenges me to be a better human.
Ashley Satorius
Volunteer Program Manager
Ashley Satorius
Volunteer Program Manager
Joshua Watson
Equity & Engagement Organizer
Joshua Watson
Equity & Engagement Organizer
What brought you to Urban Homeworks?
I came to Urban Homeworks because of the opportunity to serve the people in Minneapolis in a greater capacity. I wanted to touch people's lives in a way that was clear and tangible and genuinely be a part of what makes this community great!
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
Urban Homeworks is more than a housing organization. We seek to center the voices of our community and innovate in ways that create equitable solutions for our residents and neighbors.
That innovation always begins with listening to the needs of our community. Over the past year, the overwhelming need we heard again and again from our residents was a need for safety.
After attempts to work with public officials and local police, Urban Homeworks decided to formally partner with Brothers EMpowered, a community safety organization committed to neighborhood peacekeeping through relationship building and consistent presence.
We invite you to learn more about our partnership by watching this quick clip from an interview between Urban Homeworks Executive Director AsaleSol Young and Brothers EMpowered founder Charles Caine.
Urban Homeworks staff went on a Sacred Sites Tour led by Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs from the Mohican Tribe. We visited Pilot Knob Trail or Oheyawahi, Fort Snelling State Park, and Dakota Internment Camp following the Dakota-US War.
As we approach the end of the year and continue to work towards a more just and affordable housing space, our work calls us to learn about BIPOC communities and the root of their true meaning. Amid racial disparity, we wanted to take time and space to learn about historic sites within our state that hold a more profound truth than what lies above.
Our staff was eager to visit a sacred place for the Dakota people in Minnesota, the Oheyawahi or Pilot Knob trail, which is truly a place to reflect on the Many Stories of the indigenous people who for centuries used this space as a sacred gathering and burial ground. Oheyawahi or Pilot Knob is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and comprises public and private land.
Although a place of reverence, this landscape has been altered throughout history within the last few hundred years, yet its stories remain suspended in time. As we learned during our visit, We learned that for the native people, stories are not part of a chronological construct; stories live within the space of their origin. It was powerful to hear these stories on the very land that they took place.
Within our responsibility of fighting for racial equity, we must learn the truth of our history. Today we challenge you to invite your circles to embark on a Sacred Sites tour, whether a group of friends, your family, or your workplace.
As we reflect upon the neglected, we invite you to Take Action and continue to be bearers of the truths that have been ignored. It is within these actions that we can start to repair the damage some of those stories hold.
