When the agency needs to replace decades-old windows in residents’ units or coordinates large-scale redevelopments like the Elliot Twins or Spring Manor, Hassan Yarow ensures residents have everything they need to make this process as smooth as possible.

Hassan joined the MPHA team as a temporary community resource specialist in 2020, a role that helped connect residents with essential resources during the height of the pandemic. Hassan coordinated the delivery of household and personal care essentials across high-rise properties, connected residents with local social service providers, and established a resident volunteer board. By the end of 2020, this temporary role concluded.

In 2021, Hassan transitioned into a full-time work order coordinator role. In this role, Hassan answered phone calls from residents whose units needed maintenance and helped schedule the work. Hassan credits this role for teaching him MPHA’s systems and establishing himself at the agency. By the end of 2022, Hassan was ready for a new challenge and applied for a role in the Housing Choice Vouchers department. He became an HCV eligibility technician, managing over 300 cases. In this role, he gained knowledge on lease enforcement and helped participants with interim case updates and the annual recertifications for eligibility verification.

In 2024, a relocation coordinator role in the Planning and Development department opened, and Hassan applied and was hired shortly thereafter. To residents at buildings undergoing redevelopment or construction, Hassan is a familiar face. Hassan serves as a liaison between MPHA’s project managers and residents. The role is more than just logistics—it’s about bridging the gap between the construction team, property management, social services and residents during the stress of redevelopment and construction projects.

“I work with each resident to make sure they feel informed about the construction projects logistics and know their rights as residents,” said Hassan Yarow, Relocation Coordinator for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “I explain the policies and relocation plans in plain language. I listen to residents’ concerns and ensure language barriers, or other barriers, are overcome and accommodations are in place, when needed.”

Hassan is key in making sure residents feel prepared and heard during redevelopment projects, like the Elliot Twins and Spring Manor. He helps translate construction logistics, resident protections, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Redevelopment jargon in a way everyone can understand. Hassan is also fluent in all Somali dialects, helping him overcome language barriers and build trust more quickly with Somali residents. His ability to translate both verbally and in writing ensures residents understand how construction projects will impact them and helps them prepare for it ahead of time.

With smaller projects such as flooring replacements at Cedars and window replacements at Holland High-Rise and Art Love Manor, Hassan knocks on resident’ doors 24 hours ahead of each unit’s scheduled construction. He explains the project, fields any last-minute questions, ensures every resident knows the required unit prep (like moving furniture or vacating the space at a certain time, etc.), and aids in that prep, if needed. On the day of construction, Hassan stops by the unit again to confirm the unit is ready, helps the resident with any last-minute prep, if needed, and unlocks the units for construction crews; making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for residents.

“It’s such a meaningful experience for me to support residents during development or rehabilitation projects,” said Hassan. “I help these families navigate through the uncertainty they feel, making sure they leave our conversations feeling informed, respected, and supported every step of the way.”

It’s thanks to Hassan and the Planning and Development staff that MPHA’s redevelopment projects have been so successful, ensuring that residents are centered throughout the planning and construction process. And with MPHA ongoing work at Spring Manor and upcoming work at the Glendale Townhomes, Cedars, Snelling Manor, and 37th Street Manor, Hassan will continue to be a key piece of that success.