Bridging the Gap for Low-Income Residents ›

Once a person moves into their Alliance home, they often don’t have some basic necessities. If they were homeless, they’ve lost or had to leave behind things like bedding and housewares. Bridging MN has started a pilot program to address the issue of smaller necessities. Mary Resemius, Housing Operations Assistant at Alliance toured the Bridging warehouse and saw the program as a great way to move Alliance Housing residents forward on the path of future independence. Mary seeded the program by donating money to fund over a dozen shopping sprees for single residents for a year. Mary explained that because many of our residents live in single-room occupancy units, and efficiencies, they do not need a full house of stuff. This program will fill a need, which Mary saw, and stepped forward to fill.   ... Read More ›

Home Book Launch Benefits Alliance Housing ›

Over 100 people packed the auditorium at Open Book on October 16th to hear a dozen authors read from Home: An Anthology, exploring the concept of what home means to each of us. Readings ranged from comic to tragic, and all were heartfelt. Executive Director Barbara Jeanetta kicked off the standing-room-only event by thanking the publisher and authors, all of whom donated their work to make the anthology happen. All profits from book sales go to Alliance Housing, Inc. Copies of the book may be ordered from Amazon or at your local bookstore. https://www.flexiblepub.com/home-anthology ... Read More ›

Policy Advocacy Gets Action ›

Sometimes the affordable housing crisis seems so big and overwhelming, people shrink from solutions.  The tenant-landlord relationship has always been balanced in favor of the landlord and many tenants feel powerless to change it.  The need for affordable housing far outstrips public resources despite efforts of the City, State, and County to increase financing programs.   Over the past couple of years, Alliance has stepped into the policy arena with other housing advocates, developers, and tenants.  In September, after months of study and public comment, the City Council adopted two tenant protection measures. The first limits how far back landlords can look into a prospective tenant’s background. In the past, many tenants have been screened out of other landlord’s housing because of past criminal background. Alliance Housing has learned, and studies support this finding, that after a few years, screening out these tenants does not make sense. They are no more likely to re-offend, or be a poor tenant, than people without a criminal background. The second protection measure is to limit the dollar amount landlords can charge for security deposits.  Alliance and others were active in organizing support for these ordinances.   Also... Read More ›

Seven Alliance Tenants Move to Bigger Digs ›

Most people, as they age, would appreciate a few more conveniences and comfort:  an elevator, help with chores, or maybe just peace and quiet.  Alliance Housing’s aging rooming house tenants were motivation to pursue funding to build a place where they could find these amenities.  We also learned that the only portion of the homeless population that was growing (and had tripled in the last 12 years) was older adults. The streets and shelters are no place to call home when you’re over 55 years old.  Homeless older adults are more vulnerable to thefts and homelessness is harder on their health.   Minnehaha Commons, Alliance’s newest property, is designed for singles, ages 55 and older, who have experienced long-term homelessness. Seven of the forty-four studio apartments are designated for people who are already residents in Alliance Housing, and they were the first to move in.  Tom and Ed are settling into their new homes and agreed to share their stories.   Tom, age 79, has spent most of his life adapting to new surroundings. He was sent to reform school when he was nine. After being there a while, he ran away and lived... Read More ›