Vikings volunteers were welcomed by Habitat for Humanity's Catherine Penkert, Chief of Staff, and Kate Loe, Vice President of Resource Development, who explained the impact Habitat makes throughout the Twin Cities.
"Healthy families, healthy communities, start with _home_. And that's what we try to make possible for as many people who want to own a home as possible in the Twin Cities," Penkert said. "We build homes, new construction like you're working on today, and we rehab homes. Most or all our homes are built by volunteers like all of you, so it's a really incredible, massive community group project to bring new homes to life."
While Habitat for Humanity homes are not free of cost, the monthly mortgage is capped at 30 percent of the qualifying homebuyers' income.
The largest affordable homeownership builder in the seven-country metro area, Twin Cities Habitat has partnered with more than 1,800 families since 1985 to unlock the power of homeownership. Thousands more have stabilized and improved their housing, finances and quality of life through Habitat's programming.
"We have a real laser-focus on advancing racial equity, and specifically advancing Black home ownership, and all of that sits on a foundation of engaging our community," Loe explained. "You are all part of that community, so for that, we thank you."
Habitat for Humanity is also thankful for [Andersen Windows & Doors](https://www.andersenwindows.com/?aw_cid=701Wj00000BZxGiIAL), one of the Vikings existing partners, for donating or deeply discounting all doors and windows installed in Habitat Twin Cities homes.
Eliza Chlebeck, Andersen Corporation Vice President of Communications & Community, attended the build and called the event a "super special" alignment of missions.
"As a company that makes windows and doors, we know firsthand the importance of home, and the work that Habitat does to create safe, stable, affordable home-ownership opportunities for families is so vital to the strength and stability of this community, which is something Andersen cares about," Chlebeck said. "And it's something the Vikings care a lot about, so our ability to come together, to bring our volunteer power, our resources, the visibility for this work to the community, it's something really important to Andersen, and we're really proud to partner with the Vikings on this."