Although the organization was only incorporated in 1999, the Foundation has established itself as a significant force for affordable housing in the community.  The Foundation has successfully collaborated with diverse partners to implement a wide-range of housing development strategies.  In our first eight years, the Foundation has helped create 132 housing units and been the catalyst for the investment of nearly $18 million in the community.  

Our goal is to develop affordable housing to help low-income people in the community become socially and economically more stable.  In 2006, the Foundation adopted a Strategic Plan which set an ambitious goal to complete development of at least 250 housing units over the next 5 years.  To meet the extensive needs in the community, the Foundation plans to develop a spectrum of affordable housing including supportive housing, affordable rental housing and ownership housing with a perpetual affordability model. The Strategic Plan also launched the Congregational Partnership Initiative, our commitment to assist other congregations in the development of housing in their communities. 

With an initial focus on the neighborhood near Plymouth Church, our partnerships have led us to other neighborhoods in Minneapolis.  We anticipate that opportunities in the future will stretch us geographically beyond the city of Minneapolis into suburban communities. 

Unchanged is our commitment to housing development to meet the needs of those most in need.  All of the housing the Foundation has developed to date targets those below 50% area median income ($38,350 for a family of four in 2007), and the majority is below 30% area median income ($23,000 for a family of four in 2007). 

The Foundation is interested in creating innovative models that link housing to increased economic self-sufficiency.  The Foundation is creating a limited equity cooperative to create ownership opportunities for those closed out of the traditional home ownership market.  The Foundation will be linking residents to Individual Development Account programs, which provide financial training and incentives for homeownership, entrepreneurship and education.  The Foundation works collaboratively with social service agencies to provide the support services to assist residents in transition; including formerly homeless adults and families and newly arriving refugee families.   Nicollet Square will be our first mixed-use project incorporating a retail component providing supported employment opportunities for young people.