Minneapolis homeless shelter staff talk about upcoming closure

While Agate received a capital grant for the shelter to build the new complex, the Legislature did not approve any funding for 510. Workers drew attention Wednesday to the irony that the new complex would cost $25 million, meaning it would cost audience less per unit. to keep 510.

“The city and the state need to look at realigning things and conserving their money, because a person sleeping outside costs the state and it costs the county a lot more than a person staying here,” said Emery Brush, Agate shelter worker . “It will put pressure on other homeless shelters and the end result will be more people sleeping outside.”

Agate CEO Kyle Hanson commended Agate workers for calling attention to the imbalance in Minnesota’s public funding models, which provide far more money for new affordable housing construction than for rehabilitating existing buildings. Affordable housing providers across the state have sounded the alarm about the loss of older buildings to decay, burglary and vandalism, with a law passed this year forming a legislative task force to further explore the phenomenon .

“The funding sources that covered the expenses for (helping) the residents did not, at the end of the day, have enough money left over to cover the major replacement of old plumbing systems, bathrooms, showers and roofs that need repair,” Hanson said. . “The reality is, if somebody magically steps up with government support, foundation support, or individual support, this building could operate for the next 15 to 20 years without deeper capital needs.”

Hanson said more than half of Agate’s 140 employees have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, which means they not only care about their customers, but understand what they’re going through. The announcement of 510’s impending closure two weeks ago was “the most heartbreaking day” of his career, Hanson said, because he also had to tell employees who had overcome major challenges that they were out of a job.

Agate hired consultant Sheila Delaney to help staff quickly renew everyone in the building by October 9. They created a list of everyone who lives in the 510, noting characteristics that might help them transition quickly, such as seniority or tribal membership, Delaney said. . It also helps people obtain birth certificates, identify barriers to their rental history, and apply for public and private housing from second-chance landlords who accept people with imperfect records.