St. Cloud effort aims to help Somali residents pursue homeownership

Houses for sale in a residential area.
A newly constructed home in the south region of St. Cloud awaits the finishing touches Friday April 9, 2022.
Paul Middlestaedt for MPR News

St. Cloud’s East African population is growing, and about 70 percent of the region’s Somali residents live below the federal poverty line, reports MPR News’ Kirsti Marohn.

Shirwa Adan, executive director of the Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization, helps members of the community address language and cultural barriers and apply for jobs and housing.

Advocates say that home ownership helps to fight poverty, sustain families and community.

The story is part of the MPR News North Star Journey series.

North Star Journey was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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