PRG is a housing partner for Twin Cities families and neighborhoods. Our free foreclosure counseling helps families keep their homes. Our homebuyer workshops and one-on-one counseling give first-generation homebuyers the knowledge and confidence to be long-term, successful homeowners. And, when foreclosures can't be prevented, we work with neighborhoods to rehab vacant, foreclosed homes and bring them back into the life of the community.
Our Mission
PRG transforms homes, neighborhoods, and lives.
Twin Cities families and neighborhoods are facing an intense set of housing challenges. Neighborhoods swamped with vacant, foreclosed homes are looking for hope and rejuvenation. Families worried about making their mortgage payments (or already behind) are looking for trustworthy information and guidance through (or out of) the foreclosure process. And people looking to buy their first home--newly aware, in this climate, of the potential pitfalls of home ownership--are seeking support and knowledge about how to buy a home and keep it for good.
Our experienced, professional counselors work each year with hundreds of families at risk of foreclosure, and 60% of those families are able to avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. Over 500 families each year take our in-depth homebuyer workshops and learn to make great home buying decisions and become long-term, successful homeowners. And we're working hand-in-hand with the hardest-hit neighborhoods to keep foreclosed homes out of the hands of speculators, rehab them and turn them around.
PRG started in 1976 as a group of residents of the Powderhorn neighborhood concerned about resident-controlled, affordable housing in their community. Since then, we've expanded far beyond the community where we began. We build and rehab homes throughout the core areas of Minneapolis, as well as in the suburbs, and our education and counseling clients come from all over the metro area.
Why We Need a New Website
PRG's first (and current) website was built in 2004. It looks nice (we think), and it served the purpose it was meant for at the time; it was designed at the end of the era of "website-as-brochure," and it does that just fine.
Obviously, things have changed since then. In 2004, few of our clients even had web access; now, most do, and the majority want our website to be an integrated part of the services they seek out at PRG. We dream of a simple, well-organized new site that makes it quick and easy for:
* homeowners facing foreclosure to find PRG
* new homeowners to find and register for our homebuyer workshops
* low- to moderate-income buyers to see homes we're selling
* PRG staff to process homebuyer workshop registrations
* friends and supporters to see who PRG is and to support our cause
* staff and board members to share information securely online
* staff to keep updated with the latest information for clients and partners
Many of these things can be done on the site now, but the interface is clunky; we've often relied on our limited in-house programming skills to make needed updates and changes, and it shows. For example, take a visit to our site and pretend you want to sign up for a homebuyer workshop. How long does it take you? About five times (and a lot more confusion) longer than it should.
Simplicity and ease of access is key to the work we do. For example, homeowners facing foreclosure are often ashamed, afraid, or reluctant to seek help. Taking the first step to find a phone number or look at a website may feel enormous, and any difficulty may turn them away. And time is of the essence; the sooner homeowners act, the more likely they are to avoid foreclosure. The same is true for new homebuyers seeking education and counseling; the information we provide can help people make great home buying decisions, but only if they're able to access it in time.
We have word nerds; we need you tech nerds to make this real. And we are committed to staying up late. In fact, several of us on staff are parents of small children and would consider it a privilege to stay up all night without anyone screaming in our ear.
How Our New Site Will Help Make the World Greener
A streamlined workshop registration process will save paper. So will the ability--through some type of password-protected area--to post needed information for board members and other partners.
More importantly than wasting less paper, we'll also be wasting less time--operating the site more efficiently so that we can focus on the housing services where our real expertise lies.
When the judges choose which non-profits will be selected to participate in this year's Challenge they will take into account testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, board members and other
PRG, what does it mean to me? The properties that they own for rental and/or co-operative were affordable, safe and clean housing for people who are the working poor that have dreams to become a homeowner! I felt as though PRG invested in me to help prepare me for that bigger dream that I felt was NOT for me. Residing in a Co-operative provided me the opportunity to learn about homeownership, the responsibillities and the ability to be a good neighbor. As I continued to reside on their properties, I felt that it was time for me to get serious about learning more about the development and how they can impact the lives of the community in which I lived. So, I joined the Board of Directors served on it for many years, assisted the Cooperative with training and help to empower them to reach for a dream to become homeowners. PRG has provided the tools for the residents to apply themselves through educational classes on homeownership, great counseling on how to make realistic decision making that will enable them to obtain affordable homeownership and/or learn about the other home options with the Community Land Trust homes. I believe in the mission of PRG, the Board of Directors and the Residents it has helped me to further myself. Affordable housing is a choice and PRG has invested in their properties, the people who reside in their units, the future homeowner and the neighbor to create the best atmospher for a diverse commuity living to dream big dreams.
The new website would create more access for those who are unaware of the opportunities for affordable housing with PRG. Reaching a population that is underserved, but yet they have a desire, determination and dream to own a home! So, PRG website would provide that opportunity to reach that person who wants to learn how to reach their goal by providing skills to them and/or meet them where they are at in the journey for homeownership. Let's not forget about the investor who wants to empower neighborhoods, meet the needs of the underserved or high risk population well PRG can help with that too, by having the new website it can reach those investors providing them with assistance to match their criteria. PRG is about helping people bridge the gap into their new home. Helping them all the way from the beginning to the actual home purchase. Celebrate with them into the future with the new website help them to build, empower and enhance lives that are within a community that you can call HOME.
Regina- Past Board Member, donor, volunteer and resident ,as well as, Co-op President
PRG is working hard on multiple fronts to address our community's housing crisis.
PRG's home buyer counseling educates potential home buyers on the financial and non-financial components of owning a home. When I attended the workshop before buying my first home, I learned helpful tips on how to budget for home repairs and how to save myself headaches by performing simple on-going maintenance for my home. These skills have helped me to be a successful homeowner.
PRG's foreclosure counseling helps distressed individuals best understand their options when facing foreclosure or the prospect of foreclosure. By outlining practical action steps, PRG staff often help individuals feel more in control of their situation and certainly more aware of their options.
PRG's housing rehab is attacking the problem of vacant and foreclosed homes in some Twin Cities communities that have been hit hardest by the housing crisis. The housing renovations are completed by small business contractors, which helps to stimulate our local economy. And the finished products are subsidized so as to ensure their affordability for low- to medium-income buyers that are often priced out of the home ownership market.
Through educating potential home buyers, assisting those facing foreclosure, and renovating blighted housing, PRG is working hard to address several aspects of our housing and economic crisis.
Michael Anderson, former client and current board member
PRG has an amazing education program for homebuyer and forclosure counseling! Creating affordable housing options and making sure people don't lose their homes is one of the most crucial things in this economy to get things back on track and normailized. A new website would allow them to reach more people more effectively - the more people they can reach means more people can access their services and have homes they can afford and stay in!
Julie Tessier, current board member
I've worked for PRG since 2002 ...I've stayed here this long because I believe in what PRG does and how we do it. We build great houses that families can afford, and we give people the tools to make housing decisions that help them prosper in the long run.
I've also experienced the benefit of our homebuyer workshops for myself ... my husband and I took the homebuyer workshop in 2002, before we bought our first home, and what we learned helped us find our way toward buying the home where we're raising our family.
Carrie Williams-Noren, former client, current employee, and donor
I have worked with affordable housing in my work as a Realtor for over 17 years. In that time, I have had many chances to work with different agencies and non-profits and to see the benefits that they bring to the community. Above all others, PRG has stood out from the rest in their commitment to their mission. I have had countless transactions with PRG where I witness first hand their passion for the good of the community. They offer services to help people in all stages and circumstances of ownership, homebuyer counseling, ownership support, and foreclosure prevention. PRG is an invaluble resource. In the most difficult times for everyone, especially non-profits, PRG has been working harder than ever to assist owners and help rebuild our battered neighborhoods.
Emily Green, Realtor and Homestretch Volunteer
PRG has helped so many of its neighbors navigate through the difficult process of home ownership. Their organizations means that one less homeowner goes to bed with unanswered questions, one less frustrated home owner who is having trouble maintaining its mortgage payment becuase she cannot get answers from the lender, and in the end, one more hopeful face in our community. They give honest and informative information out to our community.
Peggy Ryan, RMG Mortgage Banker and Volunteer
"we transform homes, neighborhoods & lives" - PRG
FamilyMeans Consumer Credit Counseling Service believes in the value of education, counseling, support, and affordable housing options being provided to people who walk through the doors of PRG. The CCCS education staff enjoys partnering with PRG in their HomeStretch classes. Keep up the excellent work in the community! ~ Berni Johnson, Education Manager, FamilyMeans CCCS
Anonymous
PRG overall is a great organization! From day one when you first contact PRG (from being greated by the receptionist on up to working with homebuyer counselors etc) it is a great experience. Buying your first home could be one of the biggest and scariest moves you will ever make in your life but PRG makes it effortless...well almost effortless : ) PRG's staff members have countless years of experience in assisting homebuyers purchase and remain in their homes. It's as if they hold your hand the whole way through the process from beginning until end. I would recommend that anyone interested in purchasing a home, avoiding foreclosure, and just receiving great services and resources overall should make PRG their first choice!
Michelle F, First time homebuyer w/ PRG
Everyone at PRG was more than patient throughout the lengthy and confusing Home Affordability Modification process. I literally could not have stayed in my home without their help. They were my only advocate in dealing with the mortgage company. They offered financial counseling, advice on how to communicate with the mortgage company, which involved navigating a bureaucracy that is difficult for the average homeowner to understand, and were a great help processing the forms required to complete the modification. The entire organization is a supreme value to the community.
Scott - recent client
PRG is a wonderful organization that addresses all aspects of homeownership and is my first choice as a resource for everyone from homebuyers to those needing help to avoid a foreclosure.
I have been working with PRG for the past couple of years and am consistently impressed with their knowledgeable and helpful staff!
Heidi Welch, Wells Fargo Mortgage Consultant and volunteer
I recommend PRG and their workshops to every one of my customers. That's how much I believe in their service.
volunteer
PRG is doing a great job to help break down common barriers and misunderstandings for individuals buying homes for the first time. PRG derserves a new website to help the clients they work with to the fullest extent.
Iris, Supporter
PRG is a great organization. It is an excellent resource for folks who would like to gain as much information as they can prior to homeownership. The counselors are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I have been a speaker for the PRG homebuyer workshops for several years and I can see many positive advantages for people who attend the homebuyer workshops.
PRC has a wonderful program and I support them 100% for providing resources and support to help famililies in crisis in this failing ecomomy
Phyllis Williams, Supporter
PRG helped me buy my home. As a first-time buyer PRG demystified the whole process of purchasing a house. Their staff were passionate, informed, and competent. Their assistance was invaluable during this process and I credit them for my successful purchase. What a resource for the Twin Cities community.
Kim Borton, first time homebuyer with PRG
I have been involved with PRG since 2000 and have been continually impressed with their staff, overall professionalism and constant strides in assisting all involved in Affordable Housing. I'm proud to be associated with PRG as an organization and will always view them as an excellent resource for my clients needing assistance. The Homebuyer Education offered through PRG is second to none and I'm proud to be an on-going volunteer.
Nathan Marsten, Open Door Home Loans, Mortgage Consultant and Homestretch Volunteer
We need to make companies like PRG available without making information hard to find. Thanks for all you do!
