FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 13, 2024
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – The Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) Cooperative Housing Initiative
will break ground on the first of eight sites on May 17, 2024. Developed in North Minneapolis in
partnership with Urban Homeworks (UHW), the City of Minneapolis, and others, the BLUU Cooperative
Housing Initiative will result in 17 units of affordable housing for Black and Indigenous families that will
be cooperatively owned and managed by the families that reside in them.
Homeownership is more out of reach than ever, particularly for Black,Brown and Indigenous
communities. Since 1950, BIPOC homeownership rates have decreased while white homeownership
rates have increased—Minnesota’s homeownership gap among the largest in the nation [1] . The BLUU
Cooperative Housing Initiative aims to combat this, with goals to: 1: Create a system of homeownership
that centers community and is equitable, sustainable, and replicable; 2: Ensure that each home is truly
affordable; and 3: Transform access to wealth building and community stabilization through cooperative
homeownership.
The BLUU Cooperative Housing Initiative started in 2019 with the purchase of eight vacant lots in North
Minneapolis. Partnering with UHW for development and new construction expertise, the initiative also
seeks to recruit UHW residents who have been renting for years and want to transition into
homeownership. Getting started on the first site has had significant challenges—learn more about the
hurdles faced in previous coverage: “Plan to build triplexes in north Minneapolis runs into obstacles”.
Learn more about the initiative on BLUU’s website.
Press is welcome to attend the groundbreaking event on Friday, May 17 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern at 1338 Logan Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN, 55411. A short program featuring BLUU Executive Director Lena K. Gardner, UHW Executive Director AsaleSol Young, and other community leaders and initiative stakeholders will take place at 1 p.m. Eastern. Interview requests can be sent to Katie Herrick at [email protected].
About Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU):
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black
UUs within Unitarian Universalism; providing support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian
Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.
Blacklivesuu.org/
About Urban Homeworks (UHW):
Urban Homeworks (UHW) is leading the fight for housing justice so that all people have a safe, stable,
and dignified place to live. Using accessible homeownership, affordable rentals, and housing justice
advocacy as a foundation, UHW envisions a world where there is housing justice for all.
Urbanhomeworks.org/
