Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Over the last five years Beacon has been the top developer of deeply affordable (affordable at 30% AMI) housing in the Twin Cities. In December 2023 we opened Bimosedaa, a permanent supportive housing program in Downtown Minneapolis with 48 apartments designed to serve Native Americans who have experienced homelessness. By the end of 2024 we will finish construction and welcome residents at two family supportive housing programs, bringing the total number of affordable homes we provide from 741 to 831.
Last fiscal year, 83% of supportive housing residents achieved at least 1 year of housing stability. For our resident community, who have been formerly homeless or at risk of homelessness, achieving and sustaining housing stability is a huge life milestone and creates a strong foundation from which to pursue their aspirations.
Last fiscal year over 1,000 individuals participated in advocating for Bring it Home, Minnesota and 4,000 total engaged in direct action, training, and events. Because of our Collaborative’s advocacy and the hard work of our legislative champions, in 2023 Minnesota passed the first step of the Bring it Home, Minnesota program, creating about 5,000 new statewide vouchers.
Current Goals
Supportive Housing Key Goal: Provide effective supportive services that lead residents to greater housing stability.
Advocacy and Systems Change Key Goal: Change public policy to increase funding for deeply affordable and supportive housing at all levels of government.
Housing Development Key Goal: Maximize the production of new supportive housing to address unmet needs in urban and suburban communities.
Community or Constituency Served
Beacon focuses on the needs of Minnesotans at the lowest incomes, with the highest barriers to housing, and who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. This focus allows us to advance racial equity by supporting the housing needs of Black and Indigenous people who disproportionately experience homelessness in Minnesota, a reality that is mirrored among Beacon residents.
Currently across our supportive housing programs, 86% of residents identify as BIPOC, including 19% who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native and 35% who identify as Black/African American. About two-thirds of residents in our supportive housing have an identified disability.
Geographic Area Served
Beacon currently provides homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Hopkins, and Plymouth. Our in-development homes also include homes planned for Maplewood, Richfield, and Shakopee. Through our policy and advocacy work we advance efforts that benefit the entire Twin Cities Metro and the whole state of Minnesota.
