[6] The following year, the group incorporated the Finnish Home Building Association and began construction on units for 16 families.

Other members of the association, union-affiliated workers with knowledge in manual trades such as bricklaying and plumbing, worked on the construction itself, being hired by the day.

[9] Members paid an initial payment of $500 and a recurring monthly fee of $25 to $33, in contrast with the area's average rents of $75 to $85 at the time.

The apartments, built for 16 families, each contain five rooms and at the time of opening were outfitted with modern conveniences including heat, electricity, kitchens and bathrooms.

[6] Members wrote a constitution and bylaws to govern the building and outline five principles: democratic control, a nonprofit structure, voluntary membership with individual economic participation, and concern for community.