With our partners from all levels of government, MPHA broke ground on the first new public housing built in Minneapolis since 2010: the Minnehaha Townhomes. When they open in 2019, these 16 townhomes will be dedicated to families experiencing persistent homelessness. 
The four buildings will revitalize this long-vacant site, donated by the City of Minneapolis. The development includes four two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units, along with a playground, ample green space, community patio, storm-water management, and connections to the city sidewalk and trail system. Four units will be permanent supportive housing, reserved for families experiencing long-term homelessness.
Families will come as referrals from the Hennepin County homeless shelter system, with the units reserved for families below 30 percent of area median income. They will receive services from the county and a rapid rehousing provider. These supportive services will emulate Hennepin County’s Stable Families Initiative Pilot Program, including the highly successful Young Parents Program and Integrated County Service components, which focus on families at risk of repeat shelter stays.
Council Member Andrew Johnson at the Minnehaha Townhomes groundbreaking
Transit will be essential to the families who will make their homes here, and the Minnehaha Townhomes are just a five-minute walk from the VA Medical Center LRT station. Improved sidewalks and exterior lighting will help residents access the transit that serves the area. The site is located between two major job centers (Downtown Minneapolis and Bloomington/MOA/MSP) and walking distance from another large employer (the VA Medical Center). The townhomes are also a short walk from Minnehaha Falls, one of the Twin Cities’ finest regional parks.
MPHA Board Chairman F. Clayton Tyler
At a cost of approximately $5 million, the Minnehaha Townhomes will represent the financial contributions of MPHA, Minnesota Housing, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, the Met Council, and Federal Home Loan Bank. They will also embody the culmination of years of work and collaboration with our design, construction, and neighborhood partners.
MPHA is deeply grateful to our partners for their patience, support, and perseverance. Together, we will demonstrate the potential of public housing to turn lives around, the power of partnership to bring major projects to life, and the promise that by working together we can finally end homelessness in our community.
We will maintain a permanent page on the Minnehaha Townhomes at http://mphaonline.org/Minnehaha-Townhomes
