Black Homeownership in Minnesota Surges by Nearly 7 Percentage Points—Over 8,000 New Black Homeowners Since 2021

According to the latest MN Compass Report Card released by the Wilder Foundation on May 2, 2025, Black homeownership in Minnesota has risen to 32.3%, up from 25.3% in 2021. This marks a substantial increase of 8,147 new Black homeowners over four years and represents a major step toward closing Minnesota’s longstanding racial wealth gap.

The upward trend is further validated by the March 2025 Prosperity Now Scorecard, which reports a Black homeownership rate of 30.5% (+/- 2%) in the state. These consistent findings across sources underscore a sustained and meaningful improvement.

Much of this progress reflects the coordinated efforts of local leaders, nonprofits, and advocacy groups—particularly the 9000 Equities initiative, launched in 2022 by a coalition of 16 partners. Focused on reducing the racial homeownership disparity by 15%, the initiative has directly contributed to an estimated 2,000 new Black homeowners through targeted outreach, education, and mortgage financing support.

This statewide momentum highlights the power of strategic, equity-driven investment and broad community engagement in tackling systemic racial disparities in housing.

"This progress is both measurable and deeply meaningful," said Jeffery Robinson, of the 9000 Equities Initiative. "When we launched this effort, we set out to do more than raise awareness—we committed to results. To see more than 8,000 Black households move into homeownership is proof of what focused investment and community partnerships can accomplish. We know we can’t take all the credit, but the awareness and commitment from our original sixteen local partners and funders has had more than a measurable effect. This is a shared victory that reflects the hard work of housing advocates, lenders, nonprofits, public agencies, and—most importantly—the resilience of Black families across Minnesota."

The 9000 Equities Initiative was established to address persistent racial disparities in homeownership by promoting access to resources such as financial education & counseling, down payment assistance, as well as affordable housing opportunities. Its success is a result of deep collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders committed to equity and systemic change.

Key Highlights:

• Black homeownership rate rose from 25.3% (2021) to 32.3% (2025) – a nearly 7-point increase.

• 8,147 new Black homeowners added since 2021.

• Progress supported by both MN Compass (May 2025) and Prosperity Now Scorecard (March 2025).

The coalition behind the 9000 Equities Initiative continues to advocate long-term, structural reforms to support sustainable homeownership and wealth-building for Black Minnesotans.