RED WING, MN [April 30, 2026] – With shovels in hand, future homeowners joined nearly 150 community members—including local leaders, neighbors, volunteers, and partners—to break ground on the first Goodhue County Habitat homes at HOPE Heights. The project marks a significant step toward addressing Red Wing’s growing housing shortage.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on the former St. John’s Hospital site, where the first twin homes are under construction as part of a long-planned effort to expand attainable homeownership and strengthen an existing neighborhood.
“We stand on a patch of ground that, until now, has been an empty lot,” said Maggie Cook, President of the Board of Directors of Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity. “After today, it becomes something more. The foundation of 26 future homes. A place of stability. A symbol of what a community can accomplish when we come together.”
For future homeowners like Jennifer, a working mother of two who works full-time at the Red Wing Credit Union while also pursuing her bachelor’s degree, the moment represents more than the start of construction.
“This gives my family something we’ve been working toward for a long time,” Jennifer said. “Being able to have a home of our own here in Red Wing means stability for my kids and the chance to build a future in the community we love.”
A HOUSING CHALLENGE IMPACTING THE REGION
Red Wing’s housing shortage reflects a broader challenge across Southeastern Minnesota, where communities are struggling to retain workers due to a lack of attainable housing.
With housing inventory at less than a two-month supply and rental vacancy rates below three percent, the market is extremely tight and demand continues to grow.
Employers are struggling to attract and retain workers, and more than 6,500 people commute into Red Wing each day, many traveling long distances because they cannot find housing locally.
Without new housing options, communities like Red Wing risk slowing economic growth and losing the very workforce that sustains them.
A COMMUNITY SOLUTION TAKES SHAPE
HOPE Heights is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand affordable homeownership in Red Wing. The five-acre site will become home to 26 residences for working families, including single-family homes and twin homes designed for long-term affordability, energy efficiency, and neighborhood connection. Projects of this scale are rare for communities of this size.
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity has served communities across the county since 1993, partnering with families to create stable, affordable housing. Each year, more than 300 volunteers contribute over 10,000 hours to Habitat’s work across Goodhue County.
“To the future homeowners, this will be your home,” Cook said. “Built with your hands and the hands of people who believe in you. And to the volunteers, donors, and partners, this groundbreaking is your moment too. When we show up for one another, we build more than houses. We build belonging.”
AN INVITATION TO THE COMMUNITY
This groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for Red Wing and Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity. And it’s a moment that will take the entire community to bring to life. Volunteers, donors, partners, and neighbors all play a role in what comes next.
A generous local donor has stepped forward with a $50,000 challenge grant, inviting the entire community to help unlock $100,000 by matching gifts of any size up to $50,000.
“This is a chance for people across our community to be part of something lasting,” said Paul Reding, HOPE Heights Campaign Cabinet Chair. “Every gift, every hour, every act of support helps move this project forward and makes a difference for the families who will call this place home.”