Elected Officials Day on the 2010 Women Build in North Minneapolis

Days before the primary, elected officials put off campaigning and make affordable housing a priority

August 4th, 2010 - MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Just days before the primary, elected officials from Minnesota are taking a break from the campaign trail and picking up hammers to help rebuild a North Minneapolis home, as part of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build™ project.

Though earlier this year several State Representatives participated in the “Rehab with your Representative” Project in Columbia Heights, this marks a “first-of-its-kind” rehab opportunity for Women Build™ volunteers.

“Taking time out of campaigning to volunteer on site highlights the need to rebuild communities heavily hit by the foreclosure crisis," said Senator Kathy Saltzman, District 56 who has volunteered for over five years with Habitat. The new focus is one which coincides with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing strategy to revitalize neighborhoods and stabilize homeownership in foreclosure-impacted areas.

Women Build™ is a program of Habitat for Humanity International that encourages women from all walks of life to have fun, develop new skills and help transform communities by building decent, safe and affordable homes for hard-working low-income families. The 2010 project marks the 14th home to be completed by groups of Twin Cities’ women volunteers since the local program’s inception in 1992.

Funding for the Twin Cities’ Women Build™ 2010 home is provided by women-led businesses and foundations, public companies and donations from individual women. Lowe’s is the national sponsor of Women Build™. Lead sponsors for the project include Wells Fargo, the Joyful Women Fund and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation.

About Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
The mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. An award-winning nonprofit housing developer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is committed to building the quality of life, health and economic prosperity of the region by producing, preserving and advocating for affordable homeownership – because homes and families are the foundation of successful communities.