Alliance Housing continues the spirit of Alliance of the Streets, “a union of poor and homeless people” which originated in 1981. Alliance of the Streets believed that people who are homeless need to be part of the solution, and that there is a group of allies who would support them.

At Alliance Housing, Bob Bono is one of many allies for our residents. Every day he brings a relationship-centered approach to his role as property manager. Although he is responsible for the daily

physical management of multiple housing sites, he spends most of his time meeting with tenants in person, or talking with them on the phone. Through active listening, Bob gets to know each resident personally, and builds a relationship with them. With that understanding, Bob can support residents and help them reach their goal of housing stability. “I’ve been working with Bob a long time,” says Mike, a 5-year tenant. “When I get frustrated with him, I know it’s because he’s making me hold up my end of the bargain.”

If you follow Bob around for a day, you will be inspired by his ability to communicate with residents. His whole day is a series of long and short conversations with residents and the world around them. Not sur-prisingly, when people live closely with others, as they do in Alliance Housing, conflicts will happen. When a conflict occurs, Bob emphasizes the importance of communication to solve those problems. To the parent who is upset with a child in another family, he stresses talking with the other parent about their concerns.

To the resident who is complaining about another resident making too much noise, he points out the importance of talking directly and politely with that person. Bob’s positive working relationships with residents will help them take his advice, and as a result, lead to more beneficial outcomes after a crisis.

By the time Bob arrives at the office in the morning, he has already visited some Alliance Housing properties. He might check on the appearance of a property, pick up litter,

or make a note that something needs to be repaired. In a recent survey of neighbors of our properties, Celia, a long-time neighbor in the Bryant neighborhood said, “When I call about a concern with tenants or Alliance properties, Bob is always quick to respond. I appreciate this.”

Bob also meets with residents who want to pay rent, or point out a problem in their home. Bob works hard to make sure that the physical space, inside and out, is in good condition. Repairing a problem quickly is one way Bob keeps Alliance’s part of the contract we make with residents. It is also a powerful way to develop and keep a positive re-lationship with residents. “I don’t get out a lot,” says Jay, a 5-year resident. Bob will stop by to pick up the rent and usually asks if everything is okay with my apartment. Most landlords wouldn’t do that.”

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

By Tessa Williams

All in a Day for

Bob Bono

Bob Bono cont... At the office, Bob finds his email and voice mail full of resident concerns and needs. He returns calls to get specific details, and then assigns repair work for the day. Yet, beyond the details of fixing and

painting, you can hear Bob asking more probing questions. “How did that happen? What could you do to prevent that from happening again?” If a resident is asking for pest control, Bob will use the conversation as an opportu-nity to encourage them to keep their home cleaner. He doesn’t get demanding, but instead offers some thoughtful suggestions on organizing their household and cleaning up to eliminate mouse hideouts.

When a new resident comes to Alliance Housing for an introductory meeting to sign the lease, Bob invests considerable time upfront. This method often nips future problems in the bud. In this first conversation, he takes the opportunity to learn about the new resident. He also lays out the guidelines that are important for a successful residency with Alliance Housing. Pay your rent mostly on time. Respect your neighbors. Respect the property. Bob intentionally uses this time to build the foundation for a positive relationship.

Occasionally, when we hear Bob talk with residents, he is discussing a late rent payment. He meets people where they are, and is flexible with people who are honest with him. If a resident is unable to pay the whole rent at the beginning of the month, he is willing to work out a payment plan. He will also offer money-management suggestions or offer knowledge of the job market in a local industry. Audrey Preston, Alliance’s Tenant Support Coordinator says, “We watch with admiration as Bob functions in such a variety of roles as a relationship-centered property manager: a teacher, a counselor, or an advocate. He’s a great role-model to the rest of us.”

Because Bob is attuned to Alliance residents, he often knows the daily schedules and activities of the single adults in our rooming house on Pillsbury Avenue. Bob urges our retired residents, and those not able to work, to be active in some way. He encourages them to volunteer, get outside, walk around the neighborhood, get a library card, and engage in the world. He has an eye out for the welfare of these residents, and is sensitive to the dangers of isolation.

While Bob is supportive, offers suggestions, and encourages the independence of our residents, sometimes a situation will demand that he intervene and take charge. When such a problem arises, he responds in the context of his established relationship with the resident and their history with Alliance Housing. Sometimes he needs to confront a resident about a behavior, and lay out a plan for change in that behavior. In other cases, he offers choices to a resident to correct the problem. Bob is “big on redemption” and believes in giving everyone a second chance. He is willing to work with residents to help them succeed and continue to live in Alliance housing.

When asked what are the most satisfying aspects of his work, Bob quickly answered with two thoughts. First, he enjoys getting to know our residents. Second, he takes pleasure in seeing people make progress and successfully move out of Alliance housing to other apartments in the market. He said that his position at Alliance Housing is a unique opportunity for him to have an impact on the lives of people in our city. And we believe he is making a positive impact on our residents’ lives by the way he relates to people each and every day.

Barbara Jeanetta - Executive DirectorMariann Bentz - Donor StewardMichael Bobick - Maintenance Assistant/Caretaker

Bob Bono - Property ManagerLeo Bulger – IVC Tenant Service CoordinatorTamuno Imbu - Neighborhood Relations Greg Lough - Maintenance TechSarah Matala - Property Management AssociateErica Pizarro - Christo Rey Work Study StudentAudrey Preston - Tenant Service Coordinator Sue Roedl - Supportive Service CoordinatorCraig Spivey - Janitor/CaretakerTessa Wiliams - JVC Policy & Communications CoordinatorMarv Welk - Contract Accountant

Staff

Thank you to Richard Love, Janitor/Caretaker at 2011 Pillsbury until Dec. 2016. Richard ably

served in the position 11 years before moving on to fulltime work and market rate housing.

Donors

Longfellow Donor Circle Members:Jim & Linda CombHerb & Olivia FreyOther gifts:Andriana AbariotesWilliam & Carolyn Achenbach*Bruce & Teresa Ackland*Acme ComedyMary Adair*Rose Adams*Susan Adams Loyd & Richard LoydAkeem AdenijiAFSCME Local 34Elizabeth Ahern*Chris AlbrechtAlpine AsphaltFrank AltmanAmeriprise FinancialElmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen FoundationChad AndersonEric AndersonGay Anderson*Karen Anderson*Vonnie Anderson*Mary Ann AndreasonRuth AnnermanAnonymous*APPGGA*Lindsay ArthurDavid & Sue Rodli Astin*William & Jo Ellen Axness*John and Joan Barrett*Karen Barstad*BDS Laundry Stacy BeckerTom Beer & Rita Doucet*Saleem & Irene Beig*Hazel Belvo & Marcia Cushmore*DeWayne & Gerda Benedict*Brianna Bennett*Jo and Angus BennettAnchor BankJohn BentzMariann Bentz, in honor of Kari LarsonR.J. and R. Berens*Philip Bettenburg*Philip & Mary Betzel*Richard & Sarah Binder*

Thomas Bird & Catherine Shreves*Michael and Jeanne Bisanz*Black Sheep PizzaJoanne BlanchardStephanie Blohm*Michael BobickPaul and Melissa Boland*Joseph & Della Boles *Robert & Sue BonoBoroughErica BouzaJulie & William Brady*Mark & Susan BrauerBrave New WorkshopGerald & Catherine Brennan*Judy Brink*Amy BrixBroen Housing ConsultantsBarbara Broen & Greg FinzellBromelkamp Company LLCMike Brown *Ruth Brown & Suzanne Silverman*Kay Bruesewitz*Leo & Sue Bulger Paul & Shannon Burke*Suzanne Butzow &Colette GandelotBuuck Family FoundationBwana ArcheryArthur CampbellSam CaresenRobert & Roxanne Lee Carlson*Bradford & Judith Carpenter*Kate CarpenterSusan CarrAlberta CarrollCBS Eye on the Prize*James & Wanda Celt*Centraire Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.Cermak Rhoades ArchitectsSteven & Julie ChristensenJean ClarkClear Channel OutdoorsRachel & John ClevengerJohn & Lynn Clifford*Clockwerks BrewingBarry CohenRalph & Ruth Colby*Ted Combs*Community Action of Suburban HennepinKathleen ConklinContinental DiamondWilliam K. & Michele Coppage*

Steven Corcoran & Beth LarsonCorepower YogaDeborah Cornell*David & Jeanne Cornish Patrick Cottler*Bonita Crawford Janda*Joe & Jean CrockerCrooners Lounge & Supper ClubCrowne Plaza MinneapolisPaul & Debra Cudd*John Cullen*Terry & Kathy Cummings*Cassandra DavisMark and Jean Davis*David & Pamela Deal*Mary DeanerErin Delaney*Toni D’EramoAnn DerbyDerrick Building Solutions LLC *William DeVaul*John & Maureen Devins*Catherine & Mark Dienhart*Peter & Sara DiscenzaJessica DonahueGail DorfmanFran & Sue Dosal*Richard DoyleDraft HorseMarsh Drege*Nan DreherDavid & Patricia Drew*Dry DriversDiane Dube & Peter W. GormanTamara Ducklow*E.M. Moody Trust*Ebenezer Fellowship SDA Church/Sahades FamilyBob Edelstein & Mary CrowleyChad & Jean Edwards*Phillip & Kelly ElkinMary Ellingen*Elsie’s Dining, Bowling, CocktailsDavid & Mary EmeryDaniel Engstrom & Barbara Coffin*Teresa EnriquezDean & Donna Erickson*Kristi Erickson Kampmeyer*Jay Erstling & Rebecca Martin*Peter & Kari Espinosa*Harvey & Sheri EttingerFantasy GiftsDonald and Nancy Field*Marcella Field*

First National Bank of River Falls*Jane FisherEd Flahavan & Susan O’LearyJamey FlanneryMark Fleming*Dan & Kathy FlicekEric Flom & Jeanne Harris*Robert & Jolene ForsbergYvonne ForsytheNicole FosterFoundation for Development of PeopleJim FournierFox Run GolfFreehouseFrerichs Construction CompanySeon FrulandMary GablerToby Garey & Karen Marsh ZamZam Seid GashawPaul Gates ArchitectsJane & Richard Gerber*Ginger & Jim Giefer*Joan GilbertsonMaisha GilesGregory & Melissa Godden*Ann GodfreyJohn Goggin & Julie WeighterFred & Ruth GonnermanLeota GoodneyGopher Hills GolfJudy &Frank Gordon*Kathleen Graber*John & Nancy Grace*Jean GramsThe Grand Investment Club*Darryl & Linda GravesGray Plant Mooty FoundationJosh & Roberta GreenwaldMary Gremmler*Karen & Brian Gresback*Kirsten GrohovskyGroveland Emergency Food Shelf, Inc.*Paul & Patricia GustMarsha Haagenson*Phil HaanJohn & Barb HaerJane & Theodore Hagberg*Bryan & Donna Hair*Michael Halada & Rebecca Schroeder Halada*Tom & Mary Halada *Chip HalbachLaurie & Dee Halberg*Philip & M. Janet HallawayAnne-Mette HalvorsonJoyce Hansen*Ron & Kathy Hansen*

Donors

Claire HansonDaryl Hanzal*Lyle & Cheryl Hanzal*The Happy GnomeJames & Mary Harras*Haskell’s LiquorHayes-Gibson InternationalEdward & Chick Hayman*William HefnerPat HelinBarbara HellingSoo HemmingsenMark HennesseyJohn & Vivian Herder*Fred & Anne Herskowitz*Melissa Herskowitz*Linda & Thomas Heuer*Jeanne & Pat Hickey*Jonathan HillJudy Hinck Robert HinckDavid Hirstein*Tom Hoch & Mark AddicksJohn HoffmanMark & Margaret Hottinger*Mark HouserScot & Susan Housh*Icon TheatreTamuno ImbuInsurance Advisors, Inc.Inverwood GolfDebbie IrestoneIsland Lake GolfRandy & Deborah IstreScott & Pamela Jameson*Helen JansmaBarbara Jeanetta & Mark RichardsonTodd & Lois Jenkins*Jeffrey & Lori Johnson*Johnnie & Shirley Johnson*Peggy JohnsonTina JohnsonJoke JointHubert JolyJungle TheaterPatricia & Russell JuvrudThomas & Cheri Kamp*Patricia KasimorMichele Kelm-Helgen & Henry Helgen III*Donna Kidd*Betsy KiernatBruce & Deb Kierstead

Samantha KingSandra Klapperich*Marikay KleinMorris & Lana Knopf*Joseph & Julie Koegel*Margaret Koehler & FamilyWendy & Bruce KoenenBenedict KohlerPeter Komarek & Elizabeth NelsonAlexandra KondrickBarb KondrickBeth KondrickMelissa & Matthew Kosse*Jennifer KotvalDavid Krall & Mary Burnison Elizabeth Kreibich*Mimi Kron*Scott & Sharon Kron*David & Cathie KruegerKevin & Susan Kuss*KyatchiMichelle LachLakes Wine & CheeseSusan Lamb*Lorna LamirandeDebora & Charles LanceEddie LandenbergerCandace LangElecta LangSusan & Dennis Langer*Colleen & Robert Langford*Richard & Joan Lanpher*Lois P. Larson*Susan & Mark Larson*Dean LeDouxJeanne LeibelSteven Leitch*Cara LetofskyLet’s DishJarett LettnerJuneth LettnerNicole LettnerJoan LeverenzJan Lewinski*Caroline & Daniel Life*Jan & Charlie Lloyd*Kevin LockeTom & Helen Lockhart*Kathryn LoweryLarry L. LuckRandi LydersCathy Madison & Rick DublinJ.A. & S.H. MadoleDavid MaggittMahoney Ulbrich Christiansen & Russ, P.AJosephine ManganoJames and Kathryn MaraMarket Analyst Professionals

Tim & Mary NantellLeon NarvaezWilliam & Joan Nassif*National Checking CompanyNational Equity Fund, Inc.Alexander NeirFrancis Neir*Olivia NeirStacy Neir*Margaret NelsonRick & Lisa Nelson*Wayne & Frances Nelson*Next Chapter WineryNoodles & CompanyBurt & Yvonne Nordstrand*David NortonElisabeth Norvik*Allison Nowicki*Virgil Nylander & Lisen Stoa*Daniel & Jennifer O’Brien*Thomas O’Connell & Rebecca HeistDavid Odlaug*Anne O’KeefeBen Olk III & Kris BerggrenAaron Oppelt & Alison Vonachen*Otto Bremer TrustNancy Owen & John Lavander*Josie & Brian OwensToni OwensBrian & Kimberly Ozzello*Patricia Ann Pace*PacifierAlison Page*Joe PalenPanera BreadKelsey ParadisPark TavernLois & Steve ParkerMehrshad ParsakallehChuck & JoAnne ParsonsStephan & Mary PatnodeEdith & Jeff Patterson*Merlin & Jill Paulson*Peace CoffeePeace Presbyterian Church Mission GroupDominic & Mika PeaseThomas Pechacek*Brock & Linda Penman*Penn CycleDavid & Melinda Penticoff*Mary Pepin*James & Diane Perry*Jim & Donna PeterJoan & James Petersen*Kathleen Petersen*Daniel Peterson*

Bob & Margaret MarshallSheila MathiasJanet Mattox*MB2 RacingHenry & Genevieve McCarr*Janet McCarthyMary R. McCarthyPeter & Charlotte McDermott*Denise McGee*Dennis & Kathryn McGuire*Dawn McLeanAndrew McMahon & Katie BurnsMenardsMike Menner & Margaret GrosspietschRichard & Kimberly MerriamM.S. & Mary Ann Merrill*Erik & Kari Meyer Gerhard Meyer*Jeffrey MeyerChet & Miriam MeyersCynthia MicolichekMidtown Global MarketBrian Miller David & Mary Cay Miller*Millner Heritage WineryMills Fleet FarmJames Minea/Forever Pets, Inc.Henri & Susan Minette*Minnesota Bank & TrustMinnesota LynxMinnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TwinsMinnesota VikingsMinnesota Women’s Soccer LeagueMister Car WashScott & Sheila MitchellBruce & Audrey MoePaul Moe & Karine Swensen MoeK. Mogren*Jim & Carol MollerMike & Rosanne Monten*Bill Moore & Mary WagnerInar & Susan Morics*John & P. Jane Morris*A. Kristine Mortensen*Toni MortensenDonna & Paul Most*Betty Most Baugher*Diane Mountford*Cynthia MuellerLarry & Sharon Muellerleile*Greg MureShawn & Amy MurnanEd Murphy & Nan UpinEdward & Mary MurphyMystic Lake Casino

Donors

Julie Peterson*Diane Pettis*Robert & Stefanie Phythian*Richard & Nancy Piehl*Pierce Pini & AssociatesNettie PignatelloJohn PikalaFranco PizarroDavid Polzin & Brenda Knapp Polzin*William Porter*Ted & Mary PouliotAmanda Povall Tailyour*Patrick PresleyBenjamin Pressgrove & Katharine CunninghamAudrey PrestonPrudential VolunteersPsychopharmacology FundCharles & Lucy Quaintance*Jan Rabbers & Jane Thompson*Jeffrey RaineyRandy’s Environmental ServicesEric & Karla Rapp*Steven Rau & Christine Meuers*Doris RauschDan & Lynne RectenwaldRed CowLaverna Reed*Sara Reed*Barbara RenshawThomas Renshaw*Todd Rhoades & Therese CermakBrian RiceAlice RichardsonAnna RichardsonRichfield PoolRick Bronson’s House of ComedyJohn & Catherine RiesChuck RiesenbergPaul RobertsJoseph RoedlSusan RoedlDavid Rohan*Hub & Dianne Rohl*Stephen Rosholt*Robbin Rouillard*Jeffrey RoyMatthew & Susan Russell*

Melanie Ruda & Kathleen McDonoughSaint Paul Hotel Saint Paul SaintsRachel Sams*Bridget Schaefer*David Schmidt*Angela & Anthony Schoettle*Carol Schoonover*Holly & Jeffrey SchrammJulie Schultz BrownPatricia Schuster*Science Museum of MinnesotaPatricia & Tom ScottSequel Response Anonymous Donor MatchClementina SernaRufina SernaBeatrice & Tom Sexton*Mary Seymour, in honor of Yvonne ForsytheMarcy Shapiro*Allison SharkeyGreer ShearerT.J. SheldonBobette Shiffler*Victoria ShipleyLyndon & Christy ShirleyTammy ShockleyTerry & Ellen Shor*Shoreview Community CenterMeg SimmonsRajdeep & Jasjeet SinghHugh Smeltekop & David FeyCarlotta SmithDaniel & Gretchen Smith*Dode Smith*Julia SmithLaura SmithMichael & Veronica Smith*Patrick SmithStephanie Smith*Tanna & Mark Sobocinski*Linda & Larry Soderbeck*Joseph & Jennifer Soucheray*Southern Hills GolfKimberly SpatesKristi SpeckerSpirit of St. Stephens Catholic CommunityScott Sponheim & Sarah LangKathy SpraitzDavid Stafford*John & Laura Stafford*Patrick & Doris Stafford*Polly Stafford*Stampin’ Up!Kate StanleyAnn & Thomas Stark*Byron & Constance Starns*

Larry Starns & Mary Beth Carlson Starns*Steiner Plumbing & Electric, Inc.*Jim Stengel & Sandra HeidemannScott & Mary Jo StevensLindsey StrobelJohn & Nancy StromKathie StulcTara SullivanSurdyk’sJim & LaVonne Swanson*Steve & Mary SwensonJeffrey SwintonMargaret SylteMike & Lynn SzurekJohn & Mary Taft*Judith Takkunen*Virginia Talbert & William Hickey*Jane Terkelsen*Steve Thomas & Milagros Santiago*Jean ThompsenEldon & Lois Thompson *Mark Simonson & Pat ThompsonTerry & Laura Thompson*Thomas Thompson & Susan SuttonThree Bears ResortMichael & Dawna TierneyBruce & Sharon Tinsman*Heidi Tinsman & Erik Knogshaug*Senator Maggie Tinsman*R. Hovey & Sara Tinsman III*Total Wine & MoreDenise ToussaintTown & Country Club 9+18 League*John & Jill TrautzAnn C. Trenda*Al & Parker TrostelMike Troutman & Amy BlumenshineEric & Gretchen Tuck12 Cider HouseClara UelandUnitedHealth GroupUS BankUS Bank FoundationSharon Utgaard*UW River Falls Foundation *Schelly and Bryn Vaaler *Vertical EndeavorsKaren ViskochilC.E. Von Feldt *Alan & Sharon Vonachen*

Nancy Wachs*Andrea WalkerBettie L. WalkerMiranda WalkerGloria & George Wallace*Wander North DistilleryDavid Waterbury*Watson-Forsberg General ContractorsWCA FoundationWedge Community Co-opDewayne & Theo WeeMarvin WelkJames & Lori WellmanWells Fargo Foundation MinnesotaJim & Sue WelnaVirgil & Pat WelnaWelna Hardware, Inc.Peter & Janice Werle*Kristi Wermager & Mark GleasonJean WestRichard and Sandy WestbyWestern Insurance Agency, Inc.Wheel Fun RentalsPat Whitcomb & Patty NapierDavid White & Daniel OlsonRichard & Debra WickaJoyce Wiegand-Bavas*Chris Wiger & Nancy Pellowski-Wiger Wildfire Melanie Williams Paul Williams Roy & Kathy WilliamsTessa WilliamsWilliam’s Uptown Pub & Peanut BarBarbara Winchell*Peter Wold*Dan & Carol WolfeWuollet BakeryMichael & Sandy Wurm*Xavi RestaurantAlison Morse & Peter YackelThe John P. & Eleanor R. Yackel FoundationCathy Yandell & Mark McNeilYess YogaJerilynn YoungLuke & Margaret Younggren*Linda Zelig*Kristin & Lowell Zimmerman*Paul & Debra ZislaZisla LLCPaul Zorn & Janet Petri*Made gift to Patti Neir Memorial

Mike BrownLisa BuckhaltonGail DorfmanDean LeDouxAnne HurdJarett LettnerGreg Mure

Fran NeirRick NelsonBen Olk IIIMarcy ShapiroKimberly SpatesMiranda WalkerChris Wiger

Thank you to Kelly Elkin who served as Treasurer for 3.5 years. Kelly resigned to pursue other opportunities.

“I’ve been a long-time supporter, former employee and occasional volunteer of Alli-ance. Lynne Rectenwald (not pictured) and I enjoyed coordinating the “Pick a cork” to support Alliance Housing activity at the June Raise the Roof fundraiser.” – Linda Comb(right) Sue Bono (left)

Katessa ArcherKris BerggrenRobert and Sue BonoJim and Linda CombJessica DonahueJohn Ebertowski/Progressive ValleyKirsten GrohovskyMindy HangslebenPat HelinMandy JacobsonSamantha KingLesser Jackson band membersBob MarshallSarah MatalaDawn MontezErika Oberpiller

Luke PetersonMartha PrestonTanner QuieLynne RectenwaldAlice RichardsonAnna RichardsonMark RichardsonPatty RichardsonChuck RiesenbergSusan RoedlSahades Family/Ebenezer Fellowship SDA ChurchTree TrustChelsea TsasseUnited Health Care Employee Volunteer GroupTessa Williams

Board Members

Volunteers

Finances SUPPORT AND REVENUE1 Contributions2 Government Grants3 Partnership management fees4 Rental revenue5 Miscellaneous incomeTOTAL

$291,940$615,712$43,025$1,679,397$8,812$2,638,886

OPERATING EXPENSES1 Contributions2 Administrative & management3 Basic needs housing management4 Workforce housing management5 Program servicesTOTAL

$98,927$40,507$708,041$1,778,604$383,481$3,009,560

Net income after debt forgiveness and other changes in net assets:

$154,814

$2.6 MillionSecured commitments of $2.6 million towards Minnehaha

Commons - studio apartments for elderly adults who have

experienced homelessness and other barriers to housing.

75% IncreaseDocumented increases in wages

and income for participants of the Northside Supportive Housing

Program: $3.90 Increase or 41% for those in the 3rd year cohort

and $7.91 or 75% for those in the 4th year cohort.

$55 MillionEngaged board members and

tenants in support of Homes 4 All policy initiatives including the

passage of $55 million of housing infrastructure bonding authority.

89 FamiliesProperty management operations allowed 141 single adults and 89

families the opportunity to create homes for themselves, regardless of housing and criminal history.

$154,814 Surplus Exceeded fundraising goals,

managed expenses and ended year with $154,814 surplus revenue.

Part of funds will be used for future property repairs.

Alliance’s work makes it possible for individuals and families to create homes for themselves, regardless of income and background

by developing and managing housing that is:

Inclusive Affordable Relational FlexibleIn addition, Alliance Housing challenges the environment

that limits our residents’ opportunities.

2016-17 Highlights

Mission

Brandi is a young, busy mother of four daughters. She moved into Alliance’s scattered site housing a year and a half ago, and partici-pates in the Northside Supportive Housing for Families (NSHF) pro-

gram. Brandi had just landed a good paying job when she moved in. She liked the rent work incentive subsidy offered by NSHF. She liked the coaching program that would help her increase her earnings, maintain housing stability for her family, and help her accomplish other goals. She was tired of the homeless shelter and wanted a better life for her kids.

Brandi grew up fast because her mother wasn’t always there for her. Brandi was 17 years old when she had her first daughter. She worked in banking and customer service where she earned as much as $17 per hour. Several times she lost jobs due to lack of childcare or transportation, and then she lost her apartment when she got behind in rent. Brandi depended on shelters or her extended family to keep a roof over her and her four daughters. When she moved into Alliance’s three-bedroom home in south Minneapolis, it was a partial solution to her living situation. Unfortunately, she needed to commute an hour and a half each way to get to her job in Shoreview. By the time she picked up the kids and got home, everyone was tired, hungry, and cranky. Brandi got a car to get the kids to daycare more efficiently, and eliminated spending hours commuting to and from work. But the car added extra costs to her limited budget.

Sometimes Things Don’t Go According to PlanBrandi’sStory

Alliance Housing Incorporated2309 Nicollet AvenueMinneapolis, MN 555404

PHONE: 612.870.2267EMAIL: info@alliancehousinginc.org

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAIDTWIN CITIES, MNPERMIT NO. 29032

Occasionally in the past, Brandi felt obligated to make room for other family members or her boy-friend, or help them out. Her support system is small

and not very reliable, but they are what she has, so she counts on them to help her in case one of her children is sick, or when she needs a hand. But these same people have also brought turmoil to her life and caused her to lose housing or get lease violations. She appreciates that Bob, Alliance’s property manager, and Sue, her NSHF coach, help her strategize options to maintain housing for herself and her kids. “Many landlords wouldn’t have been willing to give me a second chance.”

Shortly after moving in to Alliance Housing, Brandi lost her job due to complications of her long commute. She found another job, but it didn’t pay as well as the previous one. She fell behind in rent and it took a few months to catch up. Again, Bob worked with her and allowed her to catch up over time. “He appreciated that I was working, had a lot of responsibilities and was honest with him about my finances,” says Brandi. “That’s not very common in the Minneapolis rental market.”

For now, Brandi is enjoying watching her children grow up. She likes her job at Sleep Number. She’d like to get an Associate of Arts degree at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and go on to become a midwife. She wants to maintain her housing so that she and her children can focus on success in school, and Alliance Housing is happy to provide that opportunity.

Brandi cont...

YOU’REINVITED

Alliance Housing’sAnnual Fundraising

Breakfast

SEPTEMBER 287:30AM

RSVP to 612-879-7633 or info@alliancehousinginc.org