Our Homeowner Engagement team is evolving! Earlier this year, I (Arash Yousufi) joined as Homeowner Engagement Manager. My background includes nonprofit work with immigrant communities and youth programming, helping people navigate complex systems and build community connections.
Asil Mire is now Homeowner Financial Counselor and supports homeowners in building financial confidence, navigating financial challenges, improving budgeting and credit management skills, and connecting to resources for successful long-term homeownership.
Theresa Hofeldt continues to lead our Volunteer & Learn program and is the driving force behind many of our wonderful events, workshops, and opportunities. Tim Erkel remains your steady, trusted Homeowner Engagement Coordinator, always ready to support with post-purchase needs.
Finally, Jenny Sanford is now our Director, leading both the Post-Purchase and Community Engagement teams as we continue strengthening support systems for Habitat homeowners.
On behalf of our team, we hope to see you this summer!
FOR Parks Shelter: 2555 Dale St. N, Roseville, MN 55113
Join fellow Habitat homeowners for a relaxed, family-friendly cookoutcelebrating National Homeownership Month! Enjoy conversation, share stories, and build connections. Food and beverages provided. Yard games will be available, and the park includes a playground, sand volleyball court, and football/soccer fields. Free parking available. We hope you’ll join us!
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. (virtual)
Life changes – and sometimes your housing needs change, too. Looking to upsize or downsize, relocate, or find a home for your current needs? This webinar will guide you through the process of selling your Habitat home. Learn from staff about what to expect, common questions, and next steps to help you understand your options and navigate the process with clarity.
HVAC Tune Up: No matter how diligently you replace filters and check ducts, having a professional inspect or tune up your HVAC system might not be a bad idea. When it's warm but not too hot is the perfect time to have a pro make sure everything is in working order so you'll be ready for summer heat.
Replace Filters: It’s easy to forget about filters when your furnace isn’t running in the summer, but that filter is still collecting dust and debris. Stay diligent about replacing filters to make sure you have the best possible air quality in your home: How to Change a Home Air Filter
Trim Trees and Bushes: Pruning bushes and trees doesn't just keep them looking nice—it also helps keep them healthy and strong. Learn how to trim and how to prune.
Weather Stripping: As the weather warms up, invasive critters get more active, looking for places to live. If you have one, a garage can be an appealing place for them. Proper weatherstripping can help keep pesky pests away: How To Install Garage Door Weather Stripping
Clean Window Wells: If you have a window well for an egress window, cleaning and clearing it of debris is important. This is both for safety (if you need to use the egress window to exit your home in an emergency) and drainage (a cluttered window well means the drain in the well could be clogged, damaging your foundation): How to Clean and Maintain a Basement Window Well
Drainage: In addition to making sure your gutters are clean, making sure water flows away from your house once it leaves the downspout helps protect your foundation from water damage. Ideally, the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation. However, if it does not, a French drain or swale could be a solution. See diagrams here.
Money Minute
Summer is a great season to model the money values you want your kids to carry into adulthood. This may look like having open conversations about how you earn and spend money on family expenses, money challenges and successes you’ve experienced, or how to save for a big goal. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers free resources to help adults teach their kids about money.
Discussing how to stretch your money while having fun this summer demonstrates a variety of values to children such as saving, spending, prioritizing, giving, and thrift. The Twin Cities offers many free and engaging activities for families of all ages and stages. Check out the Family Fun Guide to the Ultimate Summer Events in the Twin Cities and start planning your adventures!
Coming soon: The 2026 Homeowner Photo Contest! As we celebrate National Homeownership Month in June, you're invited to enter this contest for a chance to win prizes. This year's theme is back by popular demand: DIY. Learn more!
HOA Bill of Rights Passed
The HOA Bill of Rights was passed by state legislature and signed by the Governor! This bipartisan bill increases consumer protections, transparency, and communication in homeowners associations. This is a win for fairness and affordability in homeownership. Thanks to advocacy from Habitat supporters, including homeowners like you, lawmakers recognized this as a priority. Thank you for using your voice! Read more from the Star Tribune.
Partner Spotlight
Special thanks to Metro Blooms for their support and collaboration during our May Station Learning event! Metro Blooms is a nonprofit working to create resilient communities through landscaping, water stewardship, and environmentally sustainable practices that improve neighborhoods and natural ecosystems. At our May event, Metro Blooms led one of the hands-on landscaping stations and shared practical, sustainable approaches to caring for outdoor spaces. Their expertise and community-centered education made the station engaging and informative.
We’re grateful for their partnership and commitment to helping homeowners build not only healthy homes but thriving outdoor environments as well.
Share Your Story With the Habitat Community
Every Habitat homeowner has a valuable story to share. Publicly sharing your homeownership experience inspires our community, increases awareness of the importance of homeownership, and helps more families buy homes. There are several ways to share your story. Interested? Please email us!
