When Shirley Brown fell on hard times, public housing provided a roof over her head. And, because she had stable housing, she was able to focus on work and pursuing additional education to further her career as an educational assistant in the Minneapolis Public School system. Shirley worked in the public school system for 20 years, specializing in special education in the latter half of her career. Shirley, like many employed in the education field, only had a reliable income nine months out of the year making it hard to afford high rent costs in those summer months. Having her rent cost based on her income, made a world of difference.

“I always worked but it was still hard to make ends meet,” said Shirley Brown. “If it wasn’t for public housing, I probably would have been out on the street.”

A Found Family at Sibley Triangle Manor

When Shirley moved into her apartment at Sibley Triangle Manor nearly 30 years ago, she was met by a building community that looked out for one another. The Northeast Minneapolis building has 35 units, meaning residents really know all their building neighbors.

“The building has a strong community. We consider this our family here. We support each other. It’s a smaller building, we’re close knit. We’re a family,” said Shirley.

Another Sibley Triangle Manor resident, Alice Geronsin, known as the “mother of the building” was particularly supportive and introduced Shirley to the resident council. Countless others, in this building and in other public housing high-rises, friends and community members, have had a big impact on Shirley.

“I’ve met a lot of good people living in public housing,” said Shirley.

Committed to Learning and Serving Her Community

Shirley is a public housing advocate because she has experienced firsthand the impact that stable, safe, and affordable housing can have on a person. Shirley serves as the president of her building’s resident council, chair of the Laundry Committee for Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council (MHRC), is a member of Highrise Health Alliance, and a PHEARLESS Initiative cohort member.

“I can relate to my high-rise community and the different things people go through because I’ve been there. I’ve had struggles,” said Shirley.

Shirley recently travelled to Washington D.C. for the National Low-Income Housing Coalition conference where she met with public housing residents and representatives from all over the country. She attended the conference with MPHA resident and MHRC president Mary McGovern, learning from her, as well.

MPHA has been a constant is Shirley’s life for more than 25 years, providing affordable housing when she had a fluctuating income. Throughout that time, Shirley has been a constant for its community, building and maintaining a welcoming supportive community.