Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership

A Home for Every Story

In the heart of southern Minnesota, Farhiyo faced a challenge many of us take for granted: finding a safe, affordable place to call home. For 20 years, her multi-generational family lived in a third-story apartment. As her family grew to six, Farhiyo dreamed of owning a home. With rising housing costs, that dream seemed out of reach. Then she discovered the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) and its Partnership Community Land Trust (PCLT). The PCLT empowers communities by securing land for affordable homeownership, ensuring long-term stability and opportunity for all. CLTs foster inclusive neighborhood and build generational wealth, creating a foundation for vibrant, resilient communities. By taking part in the PCLT, Farhiyo bought and moved into a beautiful, safe, and affordable home with a backyard where her kids can play. “I didn’t think it was possible. We are so proud of it - to own a new home.”

Growing up in an unstable environment, April faced challenges that led her down a difficult path, including struggles with substance use. After treatment, her housing options were limited and possibly harmful to the progress she'd made. Solace Apartments, a 30-unit multi-family housing complex in St. Peter provided her with a fresh start and the supportive environment she needed to continue her recovery. Opened in November 2018, Solace was developed to address the significant barriers faced by people exiting the drug court system, particularly those grappling with chemical dependency, mental illness, and homelessness. By offering intensive services and safe, stable housing, Solace has set the stage for families to achieve better outcomes. With the stability and resources provided by Solace, April regained her sobriety as well as custody of her three daughters. Today, she thrives as the Senior Manager of Prevention and Recovery Services, managing a team of others who have overcome substance use disorder to help others find their way to recovery. April is now working with a Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership Homeownership Advisor, with the goal of purchasing her own home. As she beautifully puts it, “When we think of home, we think of safety and stability. We think of a launching pad for whatever we may do in this world. We don’t all have that. Some of us in much lesser measure than others. With investment across the region, we can give individuals, families, and children safe and stable homes where everyone can close the door on the world.”

A Story for Every Home

The SWMHP has developed, financed, or rehabilitated over 10,000 housing units and secured over $750,000,000 in private and public investment for our region. We’ve opened doors to homeownership for approximately 7,400 households through education. We also provide over 2,074 affordable rental homes in 68 properties across 30 communities. One of 2024's most significant achievements was the rehabilitation and preservation of affordability for a Rural Development (RD) Properties portfolio of 10 properties, spanning 19 buildings across 7 cities, with 243 housing units. 

"These things don’t just happen. Having the vision to preserve 243 affordable apartments in Greater Minnesota, in cities as large as Owatonna and as small as Gaylord and securing the partners and resources to get it done, is complicated. I cannot begin to describe the path that Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership took to arrive here today. 

The reason we are standing here today is the tenacity, energy, and sheer will of Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and all of its partners. This work is critical to the well-being of families in Greater Minnesota. Minnesota statewide has a terrible shortage of affordable housing. We know that stable, affordable housing is the key to better health outcomes, greater K-12 educational achievement, job stability, and economic development.” - John Errigo, Managing Director of Equity Investing – Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and Minnesota Equity Fund. 

In a letter written by Senator Tina Smith to mark the occasion, she said: “Congratulations to Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership... Ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable place to live is a top priority. This project is about improving the lives of those across Southern and Central Minnesota by both boosting the supply of housing and preserving our existing homes. As more people choose Southern and Central Minnesota as their home, it’s going to take creative and innovative solutions to maintain—and hopefully increase—the supply of housing.” 

Together, We Can Build a Better Future

Imagine a community where every person has access to a welcoming home, and every place has a thriving and equitable community. With your support, we can make this vision a reality. This Give to the Max Day, we have a goal of $3,000. Your support of the SWMHP will directly continue our mission and support more families and communities in creating places to call HOME.