The energy of the Beacon collaborative, and the remarkable investments of public and private partners, have helped us make recent, significant progress on over 200 new and 171 existing supportive homes across the Twin Cities. Your energy has helped make Beacon one of the leading developers of supportive housing in Minnesota.
With a final gap funding award from Ramsey County at Gladstone Crossing in Maplewood, a supplemental tax-credit award to Prairie Pointe in Shakopee from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and additional funding at Aster Commons in Richfield from Red Lake Nation and Hennepin County (contingent on HUD approval), Beacon is on track to move 120 homes forward so more community members will have access to the stability of a home.
With additional tax credits awarded for the project, we are optimistic that Prairie Pointe’s closing and construction start will happen in October, and Gladstone Crossing is targeted to close in Spring 2025.
Pictured left to right: Renderings of Prairie Pointe, Gladstone Crossing, and Aster Commons.
We are grateful for public resources and private donations that allow us to keep investing in the safety, security, and quality of homes for residents of Beacon buildings currently in operation.
The City of St. Paul recently approved additional funding of $270K to help complete exterior tuckpointing at American House. This work is anticipated to be completed late this fall and will benefit the residents who live in the 70 homes at the Lowertown St. Paul property.
The Kimball Court expansion is on track for these St. Paul homes. Beacon will be overseeing the addition of 22 additional apartment homes, improved space for our partners to deliver supportive services, and building improvements that will benefit all residents. Closing and construction start is anticipated in October.
Pictured left to right: American House and Kimball Court.
While residents began to move into Bimosedaa in December, the work to complete the building’s exterior has continued. We expect the work on the front facade to wrap up within two weeks. This will allow staff and residents to start using the permanent entrance and basement amenity spaces. Concrete patching work and some window modifications on the other three sides are expected to continue through June. We continue to celebrate that 48 people can call Bimosedaa home, with the building fully leased since April.
Click here to see photos of Bimosedaa.
Pictured: Interior of a home at Bimosedaa.
The NorthView is a project to recapitalize and rehabilitate 31 affordable housing units in Minneapolis comprised of three different properties owned by Beacon. The project was recently awarded $1 million in Hennepin County Supportive Housing Strategy Funds. Along with the city’s commitment of $1.365 Million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, over half of the project capital has been committed. We will apply for the balance of project funds though Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s consolidated RFP in July. When fully funded, this public support will provide much needed physical improvements to the NorthView properties, capitalize replacement reserves, and position additional units within them with rental assistance resources that will keep them affordable to the future residents.
Beacon is thrilled to announce plans to develop The Aragon. The new development will be on the border of the Eastview and Conway neighborhoods close to the church of St. Pascal Baylon in East St. Paul.
Residents of The Aragon will experience the rich cultural heritage and city amenities of the East Side. With the development of this property, Beacon is excited to continue its growth in the East Metro, where we provide homes for youth, families, and individuals in St. Paul and suburban Ramsey County.
Pictured: Rendering of the Aragon.
Beacon’s current vision is to create The Aragon as a 53-unit apartment building with approximately 20% of the apartments affordable to individuals with incomes below $25,000 annually and the remaining homes affordable to households with less than $70,000 annually for a family of four.
As with all Beacon properties, the success of The Aragon’s development is contingent on the energy and support of community members. Land use (zoning approval) is the critical next step coming in the Summer of 2024, and Beacon will invite Collaborative members to show up in support of these new homes and neighbors. Additionally, Beacon relies on the gifts of many to ensure our work building homes like The Aragon can continue.
The sale of the land is anticipated to be final in Fall 2024.
Emerson Village continues to move towards completion with opening anticipated in October.
Pictured: Emerson Village.
We are welcoming donations of household goods and personal care items for families. Please contact Harrison Bullard at hbullard@beaconinterfaith.org to participate.
Vista 44 construction is wrapping up this month and we expect units to be ready for inspection by the Metro HRA the week of June 15 th – the final step in the development process before residents can move in!
Service provider Volunteers of America – MN/WI (VOA) will work with Beacon’s Supportive Housing division staff team in the next weeks to ensure a seamless welcome home for the Vista 44’s new resident community. Once residents move in, VOA will provide holistic case management services and coordinate support resources tailored to individual family needs. These services include supports such as helping families apply for medical insurance, enrolling in chemical or mental health programs, creating community through group activities and events, nurturing parenting skills, and more. VOA staff act as advocates and guides while families make the transition from homelessness to housing stability.
Pictured: Vista 44.
We are welcoming donations of household goods and personal care items for families at Vista 44. Contact Mohamed Jama at mjama@beaconinterfaith.org and visit this link for the list of current needs.
We will announce the celebration of the openings of Bimosedaa, Vista 44 and Emerson Village when dates are set.
When adequately resourced, supportive housing has been proven to be one of the most effective solutions to ending homelessness. With onsite case management and affordable rents, the Beacon resident community can thrive. Please make a gift to help sustain supportive housing today.
