SAINT PAUL, Minn. (2026) - Across the Twin Cities, entry-level homeownership options are increasingly hard to find. Construction costs continue to rise, and many new homes fall outside the reach of moderate-income buyers.
In response, Land Bank Twin Cities, Inc. partnered with Glow Tiny Homes to bring a new for-sale tiny home to 475 Beaumont Street in Saint Paul, using targeted financing and small-scale development to help open new paths to ownership.
Land Bank Twin Cities plays a pivotal role in projects like this by stepping in early, providing flexible capital, and helping mission-aligned partners move forward when traditional financing or market conditions create barriers.
“If we want to build real solutions, we must be creative. Affordability isn’t one-size-fits-all, and this project shows how small-scale, thoughtfully financed homes can open the door to ownership for more people,” said Aarica Coleman, President and CEO of Land Bank Twin Cities.
Every Little Step
Land Bank Twin Cities provided a $152,275 construction loan to support development of the home. The project moved forward without public subsidy or additional funding sources, allowing costs to remain disciplined and the timeline to stay on track.
The completed home includes one bedroom, one bathroom, and 460 square feet of living space. It is listed for $229,000 and is available to buyers with household incomes up to 115% of Area Median Income (AMI). For households in this range, often too high for deeply subsidized programs yet priced out of new construction, attainable ownership opportunities like this one are a direct pathway to long-term wealth building.
In a region where new construction is often priced beyond the reach of first-time and moderate-income buyers, projects at this scale can create attainable ownership opportunities that expand options without requiring large-scale development.
Housing affordability is not a single challenge with a single solution. While deeply affordable rental housing is essential, attainable ownership opportunities are also critical to neighborhood stability, economic mobility, and long-term community wealth.
Land Bank Twin Cities builds solutions by addressing gaps in the housing system and using strategic tools such as land banking, flexible financing, and early-stage investment to reduce risk and support projects that might not otherwise move forward. This approach allows small but meaningful projects to contribute to a healthier regional housing ecosystem.
This project will not solve the housing crisis on its own. What it offers is a clear example of how aligning financing, design, and affordability goals can produce practical, replicable outcomes.
We Buy Time. We Land Bank. We Build Solutions.
In the News
This project was recently featured by the Star Tribune, highlighting the role small homes can play in expanding attainable homeownership options in the Twin Cities.
