CommonBond Playhouse Parade News Release

First Ever CommonBond Playhouse Parade Showcases Playhouses Constructed to Raise Funds and Awareness for Affordable Housing in Minnesota

Playhouses on display March 20-29th at the Mall of America; Public Playhouse Parade Auction Party on Saturday, March 29th

CommonBond Communities, the Upper Midwest’s largest nonprofit provider of affordable homes with services, is hosting the first ever CommonBond Playhouse Parade March 20-29, 2008 at the Mall of America. This family-friendly event brings together corporations, architects, builders and media partners to build five uniquely designed and crafted children’s playhouses to help raise awareness and funds for affordable housing in our region.

One-of-a-kind playhouses built by local Twin Cities businesses will be on display at the Mall of America for ten days: Thursday, March 20th through Saturday, March 29th. Families and individuals are encouraged to view the playhouses now online at www.commonbond.org or in person at the Mall of America starting March 20. Web-savvy visitors can vote for their favorite playhouse at www.mspmag.com starting March 1st. The playhouses will then be auctioned to the highest bidders at the Playhouse Parade Auction Party on March 29. Raffle tickets are also being sold for a sixth playhouse during the ten-day event. The lucky winner will be announced during the Auction Party. All proceeds benefit CommonBond Communities' affordable housing and their nationally recognized Advantage Center resident services. The organization currently serves over 7,300 people throughout the region.

Unique playhouse designs emerged from the generous Design Teams, including the first team to sign on: the Minnesota Twins, M.A. Mortenson, HGA Architects, and Oslund & Associates. This team is the same collaborative group that is bringing the new Twins stadium to Minnesota. Their Play Ball, Minnesota! playhouse is constructed with materials from the new Twins stadium and includes stadium seating, a concession stand, a locker room and so much more. “These playhouses are works of art that capture the imagination and ingenuity of the business leaders who support our organization and our regional efforts to address the critical need for quality affordable housing,” stated Paul Fate, president and CEO of CommonBond Communities. “We are grateful to everyone who helps us produce quality affordable homes for those most in need. Our partners in the CommonBond Playhouse Parade help ensure that our important work of building homes and hope continues for decades to come.”

The CommonBond Playhouse Parade is a family-friendly event perfect for moms, dads, grandparents and kids of all ages. Playhouses can be viewed during Mall hours in the Rotunda and the Sears and Macy’s courts at the Mall of America. Public events will be held throughout the ten days. Each day spectators can pick up a free “Playhouse Passport” as they “parade” around the first floor of the Mall and get a stamp for each playhouse they visit. A free gift will be given to those who stop by every playhouse. Additional event information will be updated and posted on www.commonbond.org

Weeklong events are free and open to the public. However an entrance ticket is required to bid on the playhouses during the live Playhouse Parade Auction Party on March 29th at 2:00 p.m. in the Rotunda at the Mall of America.

It is estimated that there is a need for 33,000 additional units of affordable housing in Minnesota by 2010. There is a growing need for housing close to public transportation and jobs, housing to provide stability for those caught in the mortgage crisis and housing serving the unique needs of residents age one to one hundred. CommonBond provides housing to all these people and more. In the past six months CommonBond added 600 homes to our housing portfolio so that today 7,300 people call CommonBond home, including more than 2,000 kids. For more information about CommonBond Communities or the CommonBond Playhouse Parade, contact the organization online at www.commonbond.org or e-mail info@commonbond.org.