The Glendale Townhomes have been home to approximately 2,000 families over the past seven decades. Built in 1952, the townhomes were built to serve low-income families. Over the years, the Glendale Townhomes have become a cultural corridor for many refugee families from Southeast Asia and East Africa. Nestled in Prospect Park, the site has become much more than just townhomes, it’s a vibrant community with a rich history.
A Community of Support
Glendale residents are not only receiving affordable housing but have access to additional on-site supportive services helping them overcome obstacles and thrive. From groceries, walking groups, family activities, and music, residents and partners have and continue to build a dynamic community.
- The Glendale Food Shelf provides food for area residents who struggle to afford groceries. Run by East Side Neighborhood Services in partnership with MPHA, the food pantry serves Glendale residents Monday through Thursday.
- A walking club run by residents and the Minneapolis Health Department are making exercise a neighborhood outing by making walking a social event.
- The Glendale Townhome property management team is bringing residents together with events throughout the summer including library pop-ups with the Arvonne Fraser Library, a jazz performance, a scavenger hunt, and a basketball tournament.
Generations of Glendale Graduates
When Bridget Emdin came to the United States, her townhome provided more than just shelter, it gave her a sense of stability. Immigrating from Nigeria, everything around her—the culture, the language and the people—was new. Having a stable, safe place to call home allowed Bridget to focus on being a mother and work towards becoming a nurse.
Amidst hardship, having reliable housing can be a lifeline. For Bridget, it represents peace of mind. “There is stability. When you are in a house, [life] is peaceful,” says Glendale Townhome resident, Bridget.
Being near quality education—K-12 and higher education, Bridget sees the Glendale Townhomes location in Prospect Park as ideal for raising kids and adults wanting to pursue a degree. “This is a place of opportunity,” says Bridget.
Both of her sons were born and raised in the Glendale community, Bridget raised them to be resilient, adaptable and to stay focused on their education. Now with both sons in college, Bridget is proud to see them earning degrees in areas they are passionate about. George, the older of her two sons, is studying biology and engineering. Fredrick, the younger of the two, is earlier in his higher education journey with interests in music and medicine.
The Emdin family’s story is just one of many stories of tenacity that represent this vibrant community.