Rice County Habitat for Humanity

What Rice County Habitat for Humanity does

Rice County Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, chartered in 1991 and headquartered in Northfield, Minnesota. It serves Rice County — primarily Northfield and Faribault — by building and rehabilitating affordable single-family and modular homes for partner families earning under 80% of Area Median Income, using a community-led model that combines volunteer labor, partner family sweat equity, and skilled trades partnerships (IBEW, South Central College carpentry program). In addition to the core Homeownership Program, the affiliate operates Acquisition and Rehab, Aging in Place, Electrify Your Home, Tax Relief assistance, and a State Housing Tax Credit program, and tithes 10% of unrestricted donations to Habitat for Humanity International. The current scale is 6–8 staff and approximately 20 new units built over the most recent four-year window, with 9,282 volunteer hours contributed in 2025.

The organization's technical approach emphasizes energy-efficient construction to DOE Zero Energy Ready Home standards and RESNET HERS ratings, increasingly delivered through modular construction with tribal-owned Dynamic Homes (Detroit Lakes, MN) and GYF Custom Homes. The affiliate is currently developing a 92-unit Rural Sustainable Housing Development Model on a 40-acre parcel, featuring single-family homes, duplexes, quads, and ADUs, with innovative standalone infrastructure including Aspiral MABR (Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor) wastewater treatment, on-site wells, and planned district geothermal and solar battery backup. The flagship active project is Heading Home Townhomes (April 2026): two duplexes serving four families at Sumner and College Streets in Northfield, financed in partnership with First Alliance Credit Union and the City of Northfield.

Funding is diversified across individual and corporate donations (with a 10% tithe to Habitat International), federal and state grants (TIF from Rice County, USDA Rural Development 502, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency down payment assistance, Section 8 homeownership vouchers), planned giving, stock gifts, and the Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit program (where contributors receive an 85% state tax credit certificate). Partner families secure affordable mortgages through Habitat's financing packages. Strategic partners include county Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Energy Network (TEN), and Faith Builder and Business Builder programs spanning 11 congregations and multiple local employers.

Name

Rice County Habitat for Humanity

Legal name

Rice County Habitat for Humanity

Website

https://habitatricecounty.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rice County Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) affiliate that builds and rehabs affordable, energy-efficient homes for low-income families in Rice County, Minnesota using volunteer labor, sweat equity, and modular construction partnerships. It serves households earning under 80% of Area Median Income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Affordable housing
• Home construction
• Home rehabilitation
• Nonprofit housing services
• Rural development

Headquarters

HQ city

Northfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Rice County Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. They tithe 10% of donations to Habitat for Humanity International for worldwide building projects unless donors specify they want 100% to stay local.
2. Grants and Government Programs: Funding from government agencies including TIF (Tax Increment Financing) from Rice County Commissioners, Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority partnerships, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Down Payment Assistance, USDA Rural Development 502 program, and Section 8 homeownership vouchers.
3. Planned Giving: Contributions through will and estate planning to leave a legacy with Rice County Habitat for Humanity.
4. Stock Gifts: Accepts gifts of stock as donations.
5. State Housing Tax Credits: Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit program where eligible taxpayers contribute to the Contribution Fund and receive a tax credit certificate equaling 85% of their contributions. In 2026, funds support the Heading Home Townhomes project.
6. Home Sales / Mortgage Payments: Partner families pay mortgages for the homes they purchase. Habitat provides financing packages to ensure affordable mortgages, including down payment assistance programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rice County Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds simple, decent, and affordable homes for partner families in Rice County, Minnesota using volunteer labor and sweat equity. Partner families are selected based on housing need, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and willingness to contribute time, and receive layered financing through USDA loans, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Down Payment Assistance, and Section 8 vouchers to keep monthly payments within reach for households earning under 80% of Area Median Income.

Product overview

Rice County Habitat for Humanity operates as a nonprofit affordable housing organization offering multiple interconnected programs. The core offering is the Homeownership Program, which builds new homes with partner families. Supporting programs include Acquisition and Rehab (renovating existing properties), Aging in Place (senior accessibility modifications), and the Electrify Your Home Program (energy efficiency upgrades). The organization also administers the State Housing Tax Credit Program to finance affordable housing and provides Tax Relief assistance. Current major projects include the Heading Home Townhomes duplex development in Northfield and the Rural Sustainable Housing Development Model utilizing innovative modular construction and net-zero standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homeownership Program Core program that builds new single-family and modular homes with partner families in Rice County, Minnesota using volunteer labor. Partner families must earn under 80% of Area Median Income and contribute sweat equity hours in exchange for affordable mortgage financing with down payment assistance.
• Acquisition and Rehab Program that acquires modestly-priced homes needing rehabilitation and renovates them for low-income families. The 2024 Starfish project was completed in partnership with Northfield HRA.
• Aging in Place Program helping seniors and individuals with mobility challenges remain safely in their homes through modifications such as zero-step entry features and accessibility improvements.
• Tax Relief Program Service assisting Minnesota homeowners and renters in filing for Property Tax Refunds through the MN Department of Revenue.
• Electrify Your Home Program Service helping income-qualified households replace old heating systems with new electric furnaces/AC, providing energy audits and navigating efficiency improvements.
• Heading Home Townhomes New construction project in Northfield, Minnesota featuring duplexes with four-bedroom, two-bath units. Construction began April 2026 on Sumner and College Streets in partnership with First Alliance Credit Union and the City of Northfield.
• State Housing Tax Credit Program Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit program allowing eligible taxpayers to contribute to affordable housing projects and receive state tax credit certificates worth 85% of their contributions. In 2026, funds support the Heading Home Townhomes project.
• Rural Sustainable Housing Development Model Planned 92-unit affordable homeownership development on a 40-acre rural parcel in Rice County, combining modular homes, Aspiral MABR wastewater treatment, stormwater management solutions, and DOE Zero Energy Ready construction standards. Total project budget is $44.9 million with $5.7 million sought for infrastructure costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Built 20 new units over 4 years housing 99 people (27 adults, 72 children)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• City of NorthfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership for Heading Home Townhomes project. City of Northfield is involved in housing development projects supporting affordable housing initiatives.
• Dynamic HomescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Tribal-owned modular builder (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) based in Detroit Lakes, MN. Only modular builder willing to customize building practices to meet high energy efficiency goals. Completed one modular home in Northfield. Customizes homes to meet RESNET HERS standards and DOE Zero Energy Ready requirements.
• GYF Custom HomesstrategicTechnology or IntegrationBuilder from Dayton, MN that works with multiple modular home manufacturers and has expressed willingness to reach high energy efficiency standards desired by Habitat.
• Rice County Housing and Redevelopment AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in rural sustainable housing development. Previously partnered on 2024 Acquisition and Rehab project (Starfish) selling property at price that made mortgage affordable for Aldana Family.
• University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted stormwater management planning study for rural development project. Study concludes final implementation will serve as a model for rural communities considering similar affordable housing developments.
• TEN (The Energy Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in rural sustainable housing development focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability aspects.
• IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides labor and materials for all Habitat houses. Uses build opportunities as training ground for students and apprentices. Critical partnership providing skilled electrical work.
• South Central CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarpentry class takes on building one Habitat house over several years, training young people to enter the construction trades as a profession.
• Carleton CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas sent groups to build sites over the years. Currently exploring more intentional partnership with professor doing building sciences work integrating students on build sites.
• St. Olaf CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents regularly volunteer on build sites and participate in Habitat committees.
• HomeTown Credit UnionminorOthersListed as resource for partner families. Offers online classes or in-person assistance to help families get finances under control. Contact Kurt Halverson at 507-455-6726.
• Three Rivers Community ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner that connects potential families with Habitat for Humanity programs. Families have learned about Habitat through Three Rivers.
• Northfield Housing and Redevelopment AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on 2024 Acquisition and Rehab project (Starfish), selling property to Habitat at price that helped make mortgage affordable for Aldana Family.
• Aspiral (by Fluence)strategicTechnology or IntegrationSmart, containerized wastewater treatment solution using Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) technology. Stand-alone system serving as innovative solution for rural development without city sewer connections.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: The global umbrella organization. Receives Rice County Habitat's 10% tithe, sets affiliate standards, and provides brand and program infrastructure — a broad-incumbent governance and funding counterpart.
• Greater Minnesota Housing Fund: A statewide CDFI that finances affordable housing developments across greater Minnesota. Operates in the same rural affordable-housing space as Rice County Habitat's rural sustainable development project but at a capital-financing rather than builder level.
• Habitat for Humanity Minnesota: The state-level Habitat supporting organization that Rice County Habitat is affiliated with. Provides advocacy, training, and Down Payment Assistance funding; a broader-incumbent counterpart operating statewide rather than at the county level.

Direct peers

• Central Minnesota Housing Partnership: A nonprofit affordable housing developer and service provider in central Minnesota that builds and rehabs homes for low-income households — directly comparable to Rice County Habitat's homeownership and acquisition-and-rehab programs.
• Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity: A larger Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area. Operates the same homeownership-plus-volunteer model for low-income families, making it the most structurally comparable peer within Minnesota.
• Three Rivers Community Action: A Minnesota-based Community Action agency that refers prospective families to Rice County Habitat and runs related anti-poverty and housing programs. Comparable in serving low-income households in overlapping geographies.
• Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: The local public housing authority that partners directly with Rice County Habitat, including the Starfish Acquisition and Rehab project. Overlapping mission and shared service population in Rice County.

Others

• Minnesota Housing Partnership: A statewide nonprofit that provides training and resources to local affordable housing providers, including rural Habitat affiliates. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct build-side competitor.
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: A statewide social services nonprofit listed as a referral partner. Comparably positioned as a Minnesota nonprofit supporting low-income households and families in the same service ecosystem.

Regional players

• Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority: The city-level HRA that co-developed the Starfish Acquisition and Rehab project with Rice County Habitat. Operates in the same Northfield geography with overlapping affordable housing objectives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9JR2qiTL7a8DXT6g4Y6ztA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rice-county-habitat-for-humanity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rice County Habitat for Humanity