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Habitat for Humanity Showcases How Federal Investments Are Changing Lives Across Minnesota 

Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County welcomed U.S. Senator Tina Smith to Alexandria’s new Summer Meadows neighborhood – the community’s first affordable housing development in over two decades. The visit was a powerful opportunity to demonstrate how federal investments are transforming lives and neighborhoods in rural Minnesota. 

“Our mission is bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope, and you’re seeing that here – the future of 42 homes, built over 8 to 10 years. I think this first year we’ll have 18 children who will have a place to call home,” – Lori Anderson, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County. 

Senator Smith toured the development and got to hear directly from a Habitat homebuyer, Brittany, who shared how a safe, affordable home, enabled by Habitat for Humanity, USDA Rural Development loans, and local support, will give her family the stability they’ve long worked toward. 

“It seemed like owning a home was seriously an impossible feat. Even if there were a home in my price range, it would need so much work that I would be putting my kids’ health and my finances at a substantial risk,” said Brittany, a Douglas County Habitat Homebuyer. 

Key partners in this work were also in attendance, including Habitat board members, the Alexandria mayor, representatives from the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission, and USDA Rural Development, underscoring the collaborative effort it takes to bring projects like this to life. 

The Summer Meadows development will provide 42 new affordable homes, made possible through local zoning, USDA 502 Direct Loans, a USDA site loan, tax increment financing, and the hard work of Habitat staff and volunteers.  

In Alexandria and communities across the state, Habitat for Humanity is engaging with policymakers to highlight the real-world impact of federal programs. These conversations not only celebrate current successes but also build momentum for future investments in affordable housing, ensuring more Minnesota families can experience the stability and opportunity that homeownership provides. 

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These homes are a direct result of federal policies and funding that help rural communities thrive. Support this work by calling on Congress to provide robust funding for Habitat’s priority housing programs.