The Cleveland Neighborhood Association is excited to relaunch the Northside Housing Fair on March 12 to connect North Minneapolis residents with resources to meet their housing needs. The Housing Fair will be a one-stop-shop for every housing related resource Northside residents might be looking for. From contractors to loan programs, legal to neighborhood resources, everyone will be there, including you!
“It’s all inclusive and there will be something there for everyone, whether you’re a renter, a homeowner or anything in between,” says Kesha Walker, staff at the Cleveland Neighborhood Association. The 2016 Northside Housing Fair will be held on Saturday March 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lucy Craft Laney School at 3333 Penn Ave. N, near the intersection of Penn and Lowry Avenues. The event is expected to host 80+ vendors to an audience of more than 1000 residents.
Educational mini-workshops from vendors will be scheduled throughout the day as well as activities for kids, thanks to Minneapolis Community Education. The event sponsors and partners include: Minneapolis Community Education, Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations, Lucy Craft Laney Elementary School, TCF Bank, Northside Home Fund, Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin County, the Northside Neighborhoods Council, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and KMOJ Radio.
The event is free and open to all, ADA-Accessible, and easily reachable by public transportation by taking the 19 or 32 bus routes. There’s even a free lunch! Thanks to event sponsors, all who attend will receive a free lunch and a chance to receive raffle prizes just for attending! Additional concessions will be available with profits going to local programs.
“We know there is a strong need to provide housing resources for prospective homebuyers; education and resources for current renters and homeowners; and support home improvements and reinvestments in the community” wrote Lynne Moriarty, Northside Housing Fair committee chair, when the Fair first launched and ran from 2006 to 2009. That need is as present as ever in our current economy and changing housing landscape. Though organizational capacity kept the Housing Fair from running in recent years, the relaunch this year will begin the annual program again and ensure residents have a consistent opportunity to receive the housing help and support they need.
As a free community event, the Northside Housing Fair leverages community groups and volunteers to make the events a success. If you are interested in volunteering for a couple hours at the event (there’s a free t-shirt in it for you!), visit NorthsideHousingFair.com or contact 612-588-1155.
Sponsors and vendors still have a chance to get a table at the event by contacting 612-588-1155 or Kesha@clevelandneighborhood.org, or by visiting NorthsideHousingFair.com. Must be registered by January 29, 2016 to be on all print promotion included with sponsorship. Some of our confirmed vendors include: Jordan Area Community Council, TCF National Bank, Victory Neighborhood Association, Xcel Energy, Northside Home Fund, Randy Lane & Son’s Plumbing & Heating Inc., City of Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services, Lake Area Mortgage, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, City of Minneapolis – Neighborhood and Community Relations Department, Heritage Park Neighborhood Association, Expert Exteriors/New Windows for America, PRG Inc., and more.