STORIES OF IMPACT AND PROGRESS ON MINNESOTA’S SIX HOUSING GOALS
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CommonBond’s Continued Expansion Efforts Across the Midwest
With the economic repercussions of COVID-19 continuing to threaten the health of our communities, the need for homes that are safe and affordable is more urgent than ever. In the face of great instability for so many renters across the country, CommonBond Communities remains deeply committed to providing supportive services along with safe, stable, affordable…
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Transformation of a Defunct College Campus to a Church with Transitional Housing
This is a story of how faith, vision, ambition, collaboration and partnership create amazing opportunities. Crossroads Bible College, located in a bucolic wooded valley in southwest Rochester, went out of business in 2015. For nearly three years local developers and real estate agents tried in vain to find a financially sustainable use and buyer for…
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CHUM Partners with the City of Duluth and St. Louis County to Provide a Safe Place for Homeless During COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CHUM is working with the City of Duluth and St. Louis County to provide two COVID-19 isolation and quarantine locations for people experiencing homelessness. One site was established by the City of Duluth to provide a safer, less dense environment for people at CHUM Shelter who are particularly vulnerable:…
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Expanded Right to Purchase in Mobile Home Parks
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Five – Support and Strengthen Homeownership In the 2019 session, the Minnesota Legislature expanded the right of first refusal for manufactured home parks, giving residents a 60-day notice and the right to match the terms of another offer of sale. The Legislature also increased…
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Richfield Tackles Disparities through Downpayment Assistance
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Five – Support and Strengthen Homeownership The City of Richfield took a hard look at their data and realized they had some of the worst racial disparities in Minnesota when it came to homeownership. In response, they shifted resources from intensive home rehabs to…
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Medicaid Supports for Housing Stability
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Five – Link Homes and Services Minnesota seniors and people with disabilities soon will have more help finding and keeping housing, thanks to funding coming from the state’s Medicaid program beginning July 2020. The funding will go to services available for seniors and people…
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Data Spurs Action on Affordable Housing
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb, 2020: Housing Goal Five – Link Homes and Services Concerned that homelessness was on the rise, leaders from the City of Bemidji and Beltrami County conducted a needs assessment that confirmed their fears. With data in hand, local officials committed to starting with a foundation of housing…
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Permanent Housing Supports Formerly Incarcerated
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Five – Link Homes and Services The Great River Landing apartments opened this past year, the result of six years of effort led by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative to create homes for people emerging from incarceration. At Great River Landing, residents have permanent homes…
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Intentional Community Designed to Support Health and Housing
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020 Housing Goal Five – Link Homes and Services In Minneapolis, the Envision Community Collaborative proposes to build an intentional community that fosters dignity and stability while addressing the link between chronic homelessness and health equity. This community, designed by residents, will use micro-homes for 15-30 people…
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Minnesota Works to End Veteran Homelessness
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Five – Link Homes and Services With concerted public attention and creative efforts from nonprofits and community leaders, Minnesota halved the rolls of veteran homelessness in the last decade and 66 of Minnesota’s 87 counties have eliminated it altogether. Innovative and intensive outreach efforts,…
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Land Trust Enables Critical Assistance for Families Facing Unexpected Hardship
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Four – Increase Home Stability The City of Lakes Community Land Trust has developed an innovative “Sustained Legacy” program that provides funding for families experiencing life transitions. The program offers funds to finance home repairs or other emergency expenses in exchange for moving a…
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Exciting Collaborations Reduce Evictions
Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020: Housing Goal Four – Link Homes and Services Evictions can have years-long consequences for tenants and significant costs for landlords. In Ramsey County, the Family Housing Fund and other partners are piloting on-site legal, mediation, and financial services in the housing court clinic. Since its launch,…