Once Peter CoyIe makes a commitment, he sees things through to the end.

A semi-retired lawyer with a passion for housing, Peter has witnessed firsthand the challenges families face during the home construction process, both in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. 

“There are plenty of people with good jobs, pushing 40, who cannot afford to buy a house,” Peter says.  “I know from my own professional background that housing is a critical need.”

After 35 years in the legal profession, Peter sees that need both professionally in Minneapolis and personally right in his own backyard in Lake City.  Now that he’s semi-retired, he decided to step back onto a build site for the first time in more than a decade and began volunteering with Habitat’s newly formed Lake City Go 2 Team. 

“I have always wanted to work on a Habitat house.” he says.

After five months on the build site, Peter can finally tell the difference between gables, soffits and facia.

 “Bob Bidon has been a spectacular mentor and teacher.” Peter says.

When he’s not on the build site, Peter keeps busy. He still practices law on a limited basi and serves as a chair of the board of directors for the Greater Lake City Community Foundation, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, and Housing Affordability Institute. He also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and, whenever possible, traveling.

Peter says, “If you are willing to show up and do anything, you can impact a family with a critical housing need.”