Her Landlord Wanted Her Out — So Neighbors Bought Her House For Her

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — For years, Linda Taylor — or Miss Linda, as she is known around the neighborhood — has put her time and energy into the Powderhorn and Phillips communities. Now, they have given something back to her: The ability to stay in her East 36th Street home as long as she likes.

Taylor closed two weeks ago on the house where she lived for nearly 20 years, according to the Facebook page Save Miss Linda’s Home. But it was not always a given that closing day would come.

In January, Taylor’s landlord gave her notice that she would be expected to move out by April, according to a website dedicated to the effort to help Taylor buy her house.

“She has raised her five children in Phillips and Powderhorn and built relationships with neighbors that have become like family,” the website said, adding that Taylor, 70, has volunteered in Phillips for 20 years. “Miss Linda means so much to this community and has put her own love and labor into maintaining her house as her home.”

So Taylor and her Powderhorn Park neighbors put their heads together, and, after four months, two block-party events, a letter with more than 400 signatures, an art show and an online fundraiser, the home was Taylor’s, the webpage for the fundraiser said.

"It's saying a lot about my neighbors, and a lot about my community,” Taylor told the Star Tribune. “Without them, this wouldn't have been possible."

Taylor’s landlord worked with Taylor and her neighbors by extending her lease and giving her exclusive rights to buy the home, the fundraiser webpage said. Together, the community raised $275,000, according to the Tribune.

“I’m not going anywhere now,” Taylor told the Tribune.

Neighbors will celebrate later this month with a block party.