2024 March Archive - Alliance Housing

Archive for March, 2024

Sunsetting Steven’s Square Residence

Posted on: March 24th, 2024

When Alliance and Hennepin County opened the doors to Stevens Square Residence in December 2020, Alliance recognized it as an opportunity to expand a housing model that has been a staple in our portfolio for years: single room occupancy (SRO) units. Throughout the last three years, Stevens Square Residence has been an important community asset, providing low-cost, low- barrier housing for individuals, primarily those transitioning out of homelessness. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cities nationwide utilized funding from the Federal CARES Act to de-populate shelters and provide temporary housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in hotels and motels.

As lockdown restrictions eased, Hennepin County, like many others, sought permanent housing solutions for those residing in these temporary shelters. To address this need, Alliance and Hennepin County collaborated to establish Stevens Square Residence, a 31-unit SRO building in the Stevens Square neighborhood. Hennepin County purchased the building and completed critical building upgrades. Alliance assumed responsibility for operating the property, laying the groundwork for an SRO/rooming house pilot program in Minneapolis.

In SRO units, also known as rooming houses, tenants have a private room but share communal facilities such as bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces. Throughout much of the 20th century, SRO units and rooming houses served as a crucial component of the affordable housing continuum. However, toward the mid-1900s, cities began to move away from this model, demolishing or repurposing many properties and hindering the development of new ones. Alliance has long been an advocate for SRO and sleeping room units as a part of the affordable housing landscape and as part of the solution to homelessness and was a key part of policy advocacy to allow SRO units to be allowed again in the City of Minneapolis.

The pilot program sunset at the end of 2023, Alliance is grateful to have partnered with Hennepin County on a pilot program that aligned deeply with our mission. Stevens Square Residence allowed both Alliance and Hennepin County to explore and learn together about the challenges and benefits of SRO housing. We learned a tremendous amount about operating SRO housing and plan to carry these lessons into our 2116 Nicollet project which is under development. This new project will have additional revenue sources to make the project feasible.

As for the former tenants of Stevens Square apartments, Alliance and its partner Vail Place used financial support from Hennepin County to help tenants find a new affordable unit. 10 of the tenants now live elsewhere in Alliance’s Portfolio!

Adrian – From SRO to studio apartment

Posted on: March 24th, 2024

An important aspect of Alliance’s diverse portfolio is the opportunity for growth provided to tenants while remaining an Alliance resident. Alliance resident Adrian moved into one of our buildings with shared housing several years ago. While he had his own private bedroom, he shared a kitchen, bathroom, and living area with two other tenants. This fall, Adrian was able to move from his shared room to a studio at 3301 Nicollet, our newest building.

Adrian spent his teens navigating various high schools in Minneapolis before finding himself as a young adult in need of a stable home of his own. Adrian moved into one of Alliance’s south Minneapolis properties in 2021. While he was grateful for the stability that the housing provided, living in a shared space presented its own challenges: different standards of cleanliness, navigating relationships with your fellow tenants, and more.

When he learned he was approved for a studio unit at 3301 Nicollet, Adrian says his heart jumped, “I was excited to move.”

While leaving the shared living environment was a relief, the process of furnishing his new space has posed its own set of challenges. Despite these challenges, Adrian is happy to finally have his own space and finds joy in watching movies, particularly comedy and action, and playing video games, along with spending time with his daughter. He hopes to complete his GED and pursue a career in construction.

Adrian remains connected with the family who lived below him at his first Alliance residence. He still stops by for dinner and an evening of laughter, Adrian says they “offered me something I didn’t expect,” and is grateful that despite the challenges of shared living to have made lasting connections with his neighbors.

Looking ahead, Adrian hopes Alliance Housing will continue to create spaces that not only provide shelter but also foster a sense of community and belonging.

As we continue our mission to provide affordable housing and support services, Adrian’s journey serves as a reminder of the impact our organization has on the lives of individuals striving for stability and independence.