In November, 2021, the Roseville City Council approved a partnership between Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the City of Roseville Economic Development Authority (EDA). The goal was to create a Community Land Trust that would add up to four affordable homes to the City of Roseville each year. As of July, 2022, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity closed on its fourth home and has two more on deck to close before the end of the year.

The City of Roseville and Habitat For Humanity, while looking for homes to buy, initially struggled to secure any purchases when examining homes listed on the MLS. In an attempt to gain a competitive edge, the City decided to focus on future sellers and sent out letters targeted to Roseville homeowners whose home has a County Assessed Value of $300,000 or less. 

For Thelma Boeder, a Roseville resident of 45 years, the letter she received from the City came at the perfect time. Boeder said the strong reputation of Habitat for Humanity, the flexibility of the closing date, not having to make repairs to her home, and the overall ease of transfer of ownership appealed to her. Boeder adds, “this program aligns with my ideas of what cities can do to promote equity. I got a very reasonable price, didn’t have to pay realtor fees and I didn’t have to do any kind of staging.”

This partnership and program were made possible through Community Development Block Grant funds, Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Pooling funds, and Housing Replacement funds.

At the end of the day, it made me really proud of our community,” says Jeanne Kelsey, Housing and Economic Development Manager for the City of Roseville. “I’m impressed that so many people want their home to go to a first-time home buyer, and that they say they are thrilled that it will be in their community for the long term—this is a good thing!

Interested in selling your home to improve housing affordability?

Contact Jeanne Kelsey at 651-792-7086 or jeanne.kelsey@cityofroseville.com.