Building on Strong Foundations: Habitat Minnesota Launches Our New Strategic Plan!
At Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. Guided by this belief, we are proud to announce the launch of our new Fiscal Year 2026 – Fiscal Year 2030 Strategic Plan. A bold and hopeful roadmap to build more, serve better, and lead stronger in the years ahead.
Reflecting on Our Journey: Our Previous Strategic Plan
Our last strategic planning process began in January 2020, just before a world-altering pandemic changed everything. Despite the uncertainty, we moved forward with courage and collaboration, finalizing our FY2022-FY2025 Strategic Plan in July 2021. This effort was shaped by in-depth interviews and input from dozens of Habitat offices across Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
“We spoke to several of the Habitat offices and learned how unique each one is… We worked hard to balance everything in the plan,” — Bret Busse, 2020 Board Vice Chair & Strategic Planning Committee Leader
Thanks to the foundation laid by this thoughtful and inclusive plan, our network found stability and even growth during incredibly challenging times: navigating a global pandemic, construction delays due to supply chain disruptions, and an increasingly strained housing landscape. The clarity and focus provided by the FY2022–FY2025 plan helped our team adapt to evolving network needs and persevere while still delivering impact in their communities.
Stepping Forward: FY2026–FY2030
A Shared Vision, Built Together
Launched in early 2025, this plan was shaped by input from 27 Habitat offices across Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Following a period of meaningful progress across the network, we knew it was time to set our sights even higher. This new plan builds on the momentum of past successes and responds to the evolving needs of our communities with renewed clarity, purpose, and boldness.
Reaffirming Our Core Values
As part of this process, we also revisited and redefined the core values that ground our work. These values shape how we lead, how we collaborate, and how we serve.
Bold Leadership
We take courageous action to advance affordable homeownership, even when it is difficult. Trust is the foundation of our leadership—we act with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Homeownership Equity
Homeownership is a foundation for generational stability and healthy communities. Everyone deserves the opportunity to purchase a home and secure their family’s future. We acknowledge that access to affordable homes remains limited for many—especially Black, Indigenous, and households of color; households in rural areas and communities experiencing persistent poverty; single heads of households; and households with disabilities. We pursue housing opportunities for all and work toward a future where everyone can own a home.
Community Power
We believe in the abundance of ideas, resources, and relationships within our communities. We value local leaders and partners, and we amplify impact by working together in pursuit of our mission.
Resilient Growth
As community needs evolve, so do we. We remain adaptable, creative, and committed to continuous learning—ensuring that both Habitat Minnesota and our network grow stronger, more effective, and more resilient.
Systemic Change
We are more than homebuilders—we are advocates, problem-solvers, and changemakers. We work at all levels to advance policies, investments, and innovations that make homeownership accessible to everyone and drive transformational change in the housing system.
Our Strategic Priorities for 2026–2030
This plan sets bold new goals across five interconnected focus areas, all built on our faith foundations:
💙 Our Faith Foundation
We choose housing as the means to put our Christian faith into action because housing is the foundation for the health, education, well-being, equity, and wealth of families and communities. We are committed to loving all our neighbors, doing justice, and walking humbly with God.
💰 Fund the Mission
As a trusted financial intermediary since 1997, we’re expanding our leadership in fundraising. We will strengthen affiliate capital support, elevate shared storytelling efforts, and pursue innovative partnerships to grow statewide resources for affordable homeownership.
⚙️ Develop and Maintain Key Capabilities
We’re investing in the tools and people that make this work possible. Over the next four years, Habitat Minnesota will expand shared services to boost efficiency and support professional development through technical certifications and training in energy-efficient construction. We will also upgrade loan systems, strengthen regulatory compliance, and provide responsive support that helps affiliates meet emerging demands. At the heart of this effort is our commitment to recruiting and retaining talented, mission-driven people—ensuring a resilient and responsive network for the future.
🏘️ Build More and Better Housing
We aim to improve housing conditions for 4,500 individuals through new construction, home repairs, and innovative housing solutions. Every affiliate will be supported to grow their production by at least 10%, backed by technical assistance and cutting-edge construction support.
🔁 Transform Housing Systems
Systemic barriers continue to limit access to homeownership. We will advance racial equity, empower affiliates in advocacy at all levels, and revise internal practices to eliminate barriers—especially for communities historically excluded from homeownership.
📣 Inspire Action for Housing
We’re growing a movement. Our goal: 100,000 individuals engaged in housing advocacy. Through education, storytelling, and mobilization, we will connect housing to health, education, economic stability, and racial equity—and inspire our full community to take action.
“We’ve learned a lot from the past four years about what’s possible when we work together, and what we still need to overcome. This new plan builds on our shared progress and reflects our deep belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. Together with our affiliates, partners, and communities, we’re ready to lead with boldness, resilience, and heart.”
— Cristen Incitti, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota
“Across the region, homeownership remains out of reach for far too many. This plan charts a deliberate path forward. One that expands access, centers racial equity, and brings us together in shared purpose. We’re not just building houses; we’re building a more hopeful, vibrant future for everyone. This is our renewed commitment to our communities.”
— Emma Kasiga, 2025 Board President, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota
This new plan is a shared commitment. A commitment to build more homes. To challenge unjust systems. To empower communities. And to serve our Habitat network with even greater impact. Together, we’re stepping forward, building on strong foundations for today, for the next five years, and for generations to come.