Last week, the annual Housing First Minnesota Foundation Gala hosted its biggest night of fundraising and ended the night with a record-breaking total.

The mission of the Housing First Minnesota Foundation is to end homelessness in Minnesota by building safe housing for those in need. Together with their build partners and community groups, the Foundation works to provide housing for groups like veterans and mothers receiving substance abuse counseling.

To date, the Foundation has completed 62 community builds and 99,000 sq. ft. of housing across the Twin Cities metro area.

The ninth annual program was attended by a sold-out crowd of 450 builders, remodelers, trade partners, and Foundation supporters. All in all, this year’s program raised a record-setting $420,000 for Minnesotans in need.

The evening program began with remarks from community partners and residents who have been impacted directly by the work of the Foundation. Then, the 2022 award recipients were recognized for going above and beyond in supporting the work of the Foundation.

Lennar Minnesota was named the 2022 Build Partner of the Year. Richard and Bonnie Berg (Contract Interiors, Inc.) were awarded the 2022 Distinguished Service Award. Finally, the 2022 Hearts in Housing Awards were awarded to Mike and Carole Petersen and Cavan and Cindy Lasch.

The evening also featured a live and silent auction, a live fund-a-need, and an after-party featuring casino games.

The Housing First Minnesota Foundation is currently taking on its biggest effort to date. In 2023, they plan on completing four brand-new homes in Minneapolis complete with four accessory dwelling units. These homes will be a part of the Foundation’s Housing for Heroes project, which provides housing for veterans facing homelessness.