Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Last year, Beacon provided emergency shelter for 53 families and more than 650 affordable and supportive homes in the Twin Cities metro area. We added to our housing portfolio by opening our 18th housing development, Great River Landing, supportive housing in Minneapolis' North Loop for men with histories of incarceration. We also advanced the development of 8 more new housing initiatives, including three initiatives focused on new supportive housing for families in Shakopee, Hopkins, and North Minneapolis. We also added a new public policy director position to our staff as we prepare to step into a leadership role in advancing equitable housing policy across the state.
Current Goals
In the current fiscal year, we aim to continue providing safe and hygienic housing and shelter facilities for all Beacon residents and shelter guests. As we continue to assist families experiencing homelessness in moving back to stable homes, we are also committed to ensuring that no Beacon residents lose their homes as a result of COVID-19. Service providers and property managers continue working with Beacon residents to ensure they are accessing all available benefits and have the support they need to maintain stable homes. We are also continuing to advance 9 deeply affordable and supportive housing initiatives: renovations at American House and Kimball Court, supportive homes for individuals in St. Paul, and at Lydia Apartments, homes for individuals in recovery in Minneapolis; beginning construction on Bimosedaa, homes for individuals in downtown Minneapolis in partnership with Red Lake Nation; beginning construction on Cranberry Ridge, affordable homes for families in Plymouth; securing land use approval and capital commitments for three family supportive housing sites - Prairie Pointe in Shakopee, Vista 44 in Hopkins, and Emerson Village in North Minneapolis. We will also advance two policy campaigns to grow the Housing Support program to better serve families, and to secure statewide rental subsidy through our Bring it Home Minnesota campaign. We will continue to advocate for historic investments in bonds for affordable housing.
Community or Constituency Served
Beacon serves families experiencing homelessness and residents in supportive and affordable housing. Two-thirds of Beacon homes provide supportive housing for residents who have experienced homelessness, and three-quarters of our homes are deeply affordable at 30% area median income, about $25,000 for a family of four. The remainder are affordable at 50% area median income. Beacon provides homes for youth, families, and individuals. More than 80% of Beacon shelter guests and housing residents identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
Geographic Area Served
Twin Cities seven-county metro area
