Alliance Housing Stories
Virus Effects on Alliance Housing ›
Thank you to all of you who have reached out to ask how Alliance Housing is weathering the effects of the COVID-19 virus. The short answer is “we’re doing business nearly as normal.” Turns out it’s pretty difficult to fix a toilet or get a furnace running while […]... 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 […]... 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, […]... Read More ›
We’ll Miss You Audrey! ›
In September, our long-time Tenant Support Coordinator, Audrey Preston will be leaving, after 15 years working at Alliance. Before joining the Alliance team, Audrey worked for 16 years with homeless adult programs at St. Stephens Human Services, making her a perfect fit for the Alliance job. She came […]... Read More ›
Minnehaha Commons Update ›
Despite the cold and snowy winter we are having in Minneapolis, Alliance’s newest building, Minnehaha Commons, is getting built. The site comes with a sad history. In addition to a bar on the street level, the building had six apartments upstairs which housed 12 adults and seven children. […]... Read More ›
The Benefit of Giving People a Second Chance ›
Jorge has lived at Alliance Housing’s rooming house on Pillsbury for almost 3 years, since 2016. He is quiet and soft-spoken and enjoys reading spy thrillers and westerns in his free time. He has a positive and forgiving attitude, and is a valued Alliance resident. He respects his […]... Read More ›
Seeing A Need & Taking Action ›
Alliance Housing volunteer and donor, Tina Johnson, understands the devastation that happens when people lose their home. At her day job, Tina works for a company that does fabric restoration. She serves people who suffered a flood or fire in their home and need their belongings to be […]... Read More ›
Local publisher to benefit Alliance Housing ›
“Home” is the theme of an anthology in development by a Twin Cities author and publisher, William Burleson, with all proceeds of the book earmarked for Alliance Housing. “When planning this new project, supporting Alliance was simply a no-brainer,” says Burleson. “I think Alliance’s approach to empowering people […]... Read More ›
Construction Underway (Finally!) on Minnehaha Commons ›
Before any construction project breaks ground, there is a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. Alliance Housing hosted the groundbreaking for Minnehaha Commons on September 13th. The event was well attended by board members and friends of Alliance Housing, neighbors, and members of the project development team. Pastor Ingrid Rasmussen from […]... Read More ›
2011 Pillsbury Renovation – A Place to Gather ›
It’s been a long time coming, but finally, the residents at 2011 Pillsbury will have a new community room in which to gather. There will be an Open House on Friday, November 9th, to unveil the room, and to thank all the people who made the room possible, […]... Read More ›
Politics With A Small “p” ›
The day Mayor Frey announced $40 million in housing funding in his 2019 budget was a good day – and proof that our work in the policy and communications arena can pay off. Alliance Housing, primarily Director Barb Jeanetta and Intern Ryan Cirillo, have been active in the […]... Read More ›
Video Highlights Alliance Tenant ›
Construction on Minnehaha Commons is recently underway. As noted before, the property will be home to 44 adults, aged 55 years or older with a history of homelessness. Older adults are a rapidly expanding portion of the homeless singles living in shelters in the community. In 2009, 11% […]... Read More ›
Alliance Housing’s Local and Statewide Wins ›
In spite of the brutal heat, Alliance Housing has had an incredibly productive summer. We are elated to share the major political gains that Alliance and our fellow housing nonprofits and advocates made this season! In the past several months, we have become increasingly involved in Make Homes […]... Read More ›
Groundbreaking on Project to House 44 Elderly Adults Scheduled for September 13th ›
By fall of 2019, 44 adults, 55 years old or older will call Minnehaha Commons at 3001 E. Lake Street, home. All residents will be very low income; most will have experienced homelessness and may have been screened out by other landlords due to their housing, credit or […]... Read More ›
Knit 3 Together ›
If you are a knitter, it’s rare you see the direction “knit 3 together” in a pattern. It is also rare when people and purpose come together in a trio: generous knitters, Thrivent, and Alliance Housing. Last year, Alliance donor steward Mariann Bentz asked fellow knitters if they […]... Read More ›
Alliance is on board with Homes for All MN ›
Where we live impacts every aspect of our lives; the jobs we can access, the education our children receive and the wellbeing of our growing senior population. One’s income and history of credit, housing and convictions effects where we live further – and for some is the reason […]... Read More ›
Will the new tax bill affect Alliance’s donors? ›
The answer is a solid “depends.” Some of our donors have told us that tax benefits didn’t drive their past gifts. To others, it is important. The tax overhaul passed at the end of 2017 changed a number of provisions that may or may not effect our donor’s […]... Read More ›
A 10 Year Old Project is Home to Many ›
Quiet Enjoyment Hiawatha Commons, an Alliance Housing property at 2740 Minnehaha has been in operation since 2006. Louella Williams has been living there since the beginning. Louella is a quiet person who tends to keep to herself, but she always smiles and greets her neighbors in the hall. […]... Read More ›
New on-line donation software takes smaller bite out of your donation ›
Alliance’s new on-line donation option, Vanco, charges 2.75% to process a credit card gift. This is a significant savings over the 6.9% our former processor charged. Please let us know if your experience is positive with this change. Thanks!... Read More ›
2017 Gift? ›
If you have already made a gift to Alliance Housing in 2017, thank you. Your investment enables Alliance Housing to: • Keep our rents affordable to low wage workers. • Support services helping families exit poverty and avoid future homelessness. • Keep our properties “the best on the […]... Read More ›
100% of funds secured to build 43 studios for homeless adults ›
Alliance Housing Fully Funded for Minnehaha Commons Project 43 units of affordable housing will be constructed for extremely low-income seniors. Minneapolis, October 31, 2017: Minnesota Housing announced on October 17th that $126 million will be invested in affordable housing across the state. Alliance Housing received $5,146,302 in deferred […]... Read More ›
Alliance Housing’s 2017 Annual Fundraising Breakfast ›
Thanks to those of you who joined us for the 2017 Alliance Housing’s Annual Fundraising Breakfast on Sept. 28th. Our guests, sponsors and donors helped us raise nearly $80,000 to support our work. Pat, 2011 Pillsbury resident, shared how Alliance helped him when he was homeless and again after […]... Read More ›
Houses History & Hope – A benefit for Alliance Housing Inc. ›
Alliance Housing’s board chair hosted two walking tours around Lake of the Isles on May 14 and June 25th. 40-50 people joined us both days to learn more about the history of Minneapolis and its parks. A former history teacher, Olk shared stories and details about some of […]... Read More ›
2016 Annual Report ›
Our annual report allows us to acknowledge all of our generous donors and reflect on our accomplishments of the past year. This year we share some important information on the success of our Northside Supportive Housing for Families program and highlight a growing need in the affordable housing […]... Read More ›
Patricia Anne Smith Neir Memorial ›
Longtime (& very active) Alliance Housing Board member, Fran Neir, and his wife, Patti Anne Smith Neir, made us the memorial beneficiary with Patti’s recent death. We are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love towards the Neir family and will steward the resources well helping single […]... Read More ›
A Life Ended Too Soon ›
Thank you to Lawrence Young, a neighbor, who shared this store about Dwayne. Thirty years of oblivion. That’s what most of us would consider the last half of the life of Dewayne Fleming, most commonly known as Brillo on the streets of Minneapolis. But after being shot and […]... Read More ›
Advocacy: Be the Change You Seek ›
Alliance Housing is excited to be engaged with this year’s legislative session for the first time as an active member of the Homes for All coalition as well as building our own 2016 policy agenda. At the forefront of this work, we are maintaining our people-centered approach and […]... Read More ›
The Next Big Endeavor ›
Alliance Housing prides itself on being a good landlord to people with barriers to stable housing and very low incomes. We manage and maintain our properties to be the “best on the block.” In addition, we’ve always been willing to tackle the more difficult redevelopment or construction projects […]... Read More ›
What Sets Us Apart ›
Alliance Housing is 25 years old. Though many things have changed over time such as staff, leadership, office address, and numbers of properties owned. Our mission and values have remained steadfast. We believe the totality of the following attributes are what sets us apart from most housing agencies […]... Read More ›
2015 Annual Report ›
Alliance’s 2015 Annual Report is here! You can learn more about Alliance’s accomplishments and plans, and our amazing tenants and volunteers by clicking on the link below. Alliance 2015 Annual Report ... Read More ›
Annual Fundraising Breakfast ›
Thank you to the 170+ guests who joined us on October 8th for our Alliance Housing annual fundraising breakfast. Tenants, Greg Mure and Brenda Connell, stole the show by sharing their stories and how stable housing has helped them move forward in their lives. Thanks to our terrific […]... Read More ›
Rooming Houses Are an Important Part of the Affordable Housing Patchwork ›
By Barbara Jeanetta, Executive Director of Alliance Housing Inc. I read almost weekly about the ills of rooming house life. My google alerts bring me stories of fire, over –crowding, and substandard conditions. In Minneapolis, zoning codes prohibit new rooming house licenses. Some of you will be surprised […]... Read More ›
Hands on Twin Cities Volunteer Expo ›
Alliance Housing participated in Hands on Twin Cities Volunteer Expo at the Mall of America on Valentine’s Day. The event is designed to introduce Twin Cities nonprofits and their volunteer opportunities to Mall visitors and businesses. Hands On also selected and funded Alliance’s speed volunteering activity – welcome […]... Read More ›
AIA design charrette & Beltrami ›
Alliance partnered with the Beltrami neighborhood group in visioning what an investment in housing might look like on the dead end of NE Taylor Street. The American Institute of Architects helped us out by selecting the site as one of their 2015 Search for Shelter projects. The team […]... Read More ›
Lynne’s departure ›
We bid farewell and thank you to Administrative Coordinator, Lynne Rectenwald, in February. Lynne joined Alliance Housing in 2010. Kudos thrown her way at her farewell lunch included: she brought polish and professionalism to Alliance’s events, she tackled and organized the mountains of paperwork that had accumulated at […]... Read More ›
A Family Bequest ›
Alliance Housing was honored to receive a number of donations in honor of Karl Cooper in January 2015. The family was attracted to us because of our 2nd chance housing philosophy. Karl spent much of his life working and living among those who needed a 2nd chance. […]... Read More ›
New Sites! ›
Funding and re-development plans continue for a project to serve homeless adults, 55 years and older. Alliance staff are evaluating the re-use of a building at 201 Lake Street or a vacant lot to provide safe and secure housing as a base for a better quality of life […]... Read More ›
New Board Members! ›
Alliance is led by 14 members of our Board of Directors. Miranda Walker and Mike Brown joined the group in October. Miranda is an emerging leader in the affordable housing development world. Mike is a seasoned marketing and communications professional. They join a group that contributes management, legal, […]... Read More ›
