EDITOR’S NOTE: Habitat board members are volunteers who play a vital role in guiding our work and strengthening our communities. In this new “From the Ground Up” series, board member Tom Feehan shares conversations with fellow board members about why they chose to get involved—and the impact they’re working to make. This excerpt highlights Tom’s conversation with Red Wing board member Tina Langton.

Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity (Goodhue County Habitat) Board Member Tina Langton brings 30 years of experience in mortgage processing, along with her expertise as an appraiser, to Habitat’s Family Selection Committee. She uses her knowledge of analysis, lending, and home valuations to help prospective Habitat homeowners navigate the process.

For Tina, Habitat’s mission is about much more than building houses. She believes safe, secure housing is a fundamental human right and that affordable homeownership strengthens families, communities, and local economies.

“I think a basic human right is safe and secure housing,” Tina said. “And in a community, not even just our own community, but just in general, we are in one of the wealthiest places in the world, and there’s no reason why people should not have a safe place to be.”

Tina’s own journey has taken her from St. Paul to Canada and Texas before eventually bringing her to Red Wing, Minnesota. Her connection to Habitat began while she and her family lived in Thunder Bay, Canada, where her in-laws volunteered with Habitat.

“My in-laws used to volunteer for Habitat when we were still in Thunder Bay. They were the crew that would bring lunch and snacks and stuff to all the workers,” Tina recalled. “Also, my sister-in-law became a contractor because of Habitat. She started working on homes with them right after high school, and that gave her the skills to start buying up homes and rehabbing them and selling them and that’s what she does now.”

Today, Tina serves alongside three other past or present loan officers on the GCHFH Family Selection Committee. Their combined experience gives the committee a unique perspective on the homebuying process.

“Between the four of us, we pretty much have it covered from the time that loan walks in the door until the appraisal’s done and it’s underwritten and it goes out to closing,” Tina said. “So, we can give them a really good overview of what to expect.”

The Benefits of Homeownership

Tina believes homeownership provides benefits that aren’t always immediately obvious. A safe and stable home can influence educational outcomes, employment, financial stability, and a person’s sense of connection to their community.

“I truly do believe that not only does it empower people when they feel safe, there’s a correlation, and we know that students have higher test scores, that they do better in school, that they advance in school,” she said. “People have better employment stability and income growth. Just the pride of homeownership and knowing that you can be a part of the community.”

From Application to Homeownership

For families interested in becoming Habitat homeowners, Tina outlined the process in simple terms.

First, applicants reach out to Habitat and complete an intake process with Angie Foss. Habitat then gathers documentation and determines whether applicants meet the program’s income qualifications, have the ability to pay a mortgage, and are willing to partner with Habitat.

“This home is not a gift,” Tina emphasized.

Applicants who move forward become active participants in the process. Habitat visits with the family to better understand their current living situation, and each adult in the household is expected to contribute approximately 200 hours of sweat equity toward their Habitat home. Families also participate in financial literacy programs.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for their hours to be developed, not only just on the site, but also in the work that they do outside of the project to get that home,” Tina said.

Tina also appreciates that Habitat homes are appraised at market value.

“I’m glad that the homes are appraised at market value, so it’s not like the home is going to drag down your neighborhood because it’s being sold at a discount.”

Looking Ahead to Hope Heights

Tina is especially excited about Hope Heights, Habitat’s future development in Red Wing, which will provide homes for 26 qualified families.

“I think it is a great opportunity to have a neighborhood of like-minded people,” Tina said. “The community surrounding Hope Heights has thankfully been really encouraging for us to come in. I think we’re going to get a lot of volunteers out of that area too as they start to see it build up.”

For Tina, the impact of Hope Heights will extend well beyond the families who will call it home. Red Wing is facing a significant housing shortage, particularly when it comes to affordable homeownership opportunities.

As a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Tina has heard directly from businesses struggling to find workers who can also find affordable places to live.

“Businesses here are desperate for workers,” she explained. “But they’ve had to turn away people that said, ‘Well, you know, sorry, I’d love to come and work for you, but I can’t find a place to live, or I don’t have daycare for my kids, or etc.’”

Tina sees Hope Heights as part of the solution — one that will benefit both families and the broader Red Wing community.

“Hope Heights is going to be a huge benefit not only to the families that are going to be a part of it, but to the greater community and especially the businesses with more engaged staff.”

For Tina, that is the heart of Habitat’s mission: creating safe, affordable homes while building stronger, more connected communities.