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.

Our work, and the mindset by which we do it, is modeled after the example of brazen, unapologetic social justice left by Jesus. We seek to perpetuate the hope of Jesus in solidarity with self-determined and self-defined people and communities, leveraging housing equity as a platform for change. We invite people of all spiritual and religious beliefs, genders, orientations, abilities, cultural and class identities to join us in this fight. Black, Indigenous, and other POC are highly encouraged to get involved.

UHW transforms condemned, underutilized, and neglected properties into safe, dignified rental or homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income—primarily BIPOC—households. Using housing as a platform to combat racial wealth gaps and create broader social change, UHW works to build community between neighbors, businesses, and contractors in South and North Minneapolis and the Frogtown Neighborhoods in St. Paul. By addressing the issues residents face inside and outside the home with community-centric care, UHW helps neighbors build the stable foundation needed to further overcome the barriers that perpetuate inequity and make their dreams a reality.

Stolen Land/Stolen Labor Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we live our lives and do our work on land that European colonizers stole from the Dakota peoples indigenous to Minnesota. In order for this theft to occur, sadistic acts of genocide, rape, and forced assimilation were employed.

We also acknowledge that we live our lives and do our work on land that was cultivated and developed by bodies that European colonizers stole from West African countries through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. In order to for these thefts to occur, sadistic acts of genocide, rape, and forced assimilation were employed.

We acknowledge what was taken from our collective human ancestors. As we do so, we commit to work and fight for the liberation of the descendants of those enslaved through American Chattel Slavery and the sovereignty of all Native American peoples.

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

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)