This fall, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is hosting a large-scale, week-long building blitz called the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Thousands of volunteers will be building at The Heights development site on St. Paul's East Side from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4. You're invited to participate in this historic event and receive compensation (up to $150 a day)! There are many ways to get involved. Watch our recorded information session to learn more about this opportunity. We would love to have you on board.
In June, you submitted photos showing off your DIY skills - from refinishing floors, to painting cabinets, and making yard improvements. Congratulations to our first-place contest winner, Tim, on installing an impressive sunrise breakfast bar and island countertop in his kitchen!
Volunteer and Learn
Continue your journey with Twin Cities Habitat as a homeowner through our new Volunteer and Learn program! Learn how to maintain your home, reach your next financial goal, create your own projects, and more. The best part?Connect with homeowners just like you! In August, we're offering two free Home Maintenance Workshops:
1) Tools of the Trade:View tool demonstrations and try your hand at using common tools such as a saw and a drill.
2) Pipe Dreams: Plumbing Tips for Homeowners: Learn how to tackle common plumbing issues, perform routine maintenance, and handle minor repairs
Both workshops are free and will take place at the Twin Cities Habitat office.
Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 1954 University Ave W, St. Paul
On average, Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where the concentrations of pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor concentrations. Keep your indoor air fresh with these tips.
Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to make sure they are functioning properly. This video will give you a rundown of how they work and how to make sure they are working properly.
Learn about radon and test to make sure the radon levels in your home are safe.
Reduce opportunities for mold to grow by using a bathroom exhaust fan. Make sure to dust the fan periodically to keep it running smoothly.
Clean your kitchen regularly to reduce opportunities for mold, odor, and bacteria growth. This video highlights how to clean a variety of surfaces including cabinets, appliances, exhaust fan, countertops, and flooring.
Money Minute
When you first purchased your home, you learned about the factors that affect your credit. Now that you're a homeowner, there are still benefits for building and maintaining healthy credit. A higher credit score may help you access credit at better interest rates and terms. It may also lead to lower rates for insurance. The steps you took to improve your credit when purchasing your home can be applied as a homeowner.
Review your credit report. Federal law allows you to get one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting companies through AnnualCreditReport.com. Correct any mistakes to ensure that your information is correct and up to date. Bonus Tip: to keep track of major changes in your credit over the year, don’t request reports from all three credit reporting companies at the same time – spread them out. For example, you can assign a month to each credit bureau and request one credit report from Equifax every April, one report from Experian every August, and one report from TransUnion every December. Keep in mind that each credit bureau will report a slightly different score, so don’t fret over small changes.
Make payments on time every month. This is the single factor that will affect your credit score more than anything else.
Reduce your debt and don’t max out available credit.
Have a mix of open accounts. A mix of installment loans (mortgage, student loans, car loans, and personal loans) and revolving accounts (credit cards and lines of credit) can improve your credit score.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers a wealth of information about credit reports and scores in general, as well as more detailed information about specific types of loans.
Partner Spotlight
Prepare and Prosper Money Mentors offers free financial coaching for anyone who is ready to change money behaviors, reduce barriers, and create positive, long-term financial habits. Sign up for an orientation session to learn if this free program is a good fit for your needs. Commit to 6 – 24 months (about 2 years) of one-to-one and peer support to create a plan to work towards your financial goals.
Share Your Story With the Habitat Community
Every Habitat homeowner has a valuable story to share. Publicly sharing your homeownership experience inspires our community, improves awareness of the importance of homeownership, and helps more families buy homes. There are several ways to share your story! If interested, please email: homeowner@tchabitat.org.
