Today, the Housing First Minnesota Foundation, along with build partner Lennar, proudly handed over the keys of a brand-new four-bedroom home in North Minneapolis to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). The new home will help MACV in its mission to end veteran homelessness, a segment of the community that is in growing need of services.
Ending Homelessness
Since its founding, the Housing First Minnesota Foundation has challenged itself to end veteran homelessness. In 2022, they built two homes to try to complete this goal.
In 2023, the Foundation has doubled this number, with this home as the fourth project completed this year! So far, this is the biggest endeavor accomplished by the Foundation. This significant milestone marks another step forward in the Foundation’s mission to end veteran homelessness and address the growing need for services within the community.
Sharing Hope
Speaking at the ceremony, Jessica Ryan, executive director of the Housing First Minnesota Foundation, highlighted the importance of this work for veterans in need.
“Since 2017, this partnership has constructed over 20,000 square feet of housing for Minnesota veterans,” said Ryan. “Our unique, collaborative housing model pools together the expertise, resources and philanthropic arm of the homebuilding industry and community funders.”
All four of these completed homes were also constructed with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) which, together, will provide 20 new beds for veterans in need.
“This is the final step of an ambitious project — construction of four Housing for Heroes homes each with an ADU,” said Jim Fuschetto, 2023 president of the Housing First Minnesota Foundation. “As this home opens for veterans to live in, we are one step closer to our goal of ending homelessness in Minnesota.”
This home is the eleventh Housing for Heroes project in the metro area. Each time the Foundation and their partners build a home, more veterans experiencing homeless are given not only a roof and a bed, but a future. These beds provide a safe and secure environment for veterans to rebuild their lives and regain their independence.
To see all eleven Housing for Heroes projects, visit housingfirstmnfoundation.org
