Frequently asked questions

Why create a new space? 

Our current emergency shelter is a repurposed church, graciously donated by the congregation of Simpson United Methodist Church in 2019. It was never built to accommodate guests, and it’s starting to get run down. It can sometimes be difficult to find enough dignified space for everybody while giving everyone access to the resources they need and adequate space for social distancing.  

Where will the new shelter/apartments be? 

Right on our current site in Whittier: 2740 1st Ave. S, Minneapolis 

When can we expect this to happen? 

We’re hopeful we can complete our funding phase in 2022 and commence construction in late 2022-early 2023.  

What will guests do while the new building is under construction? 

Ensuring continuity of services is our number one priority. We are seeking to secure a temporary space for shelter guests while the new building is under construction and plan to operate as normal.  

How much will this cost? 

Our total campaign project is $41 million and includes $10 million in private support. As of January 2022, we have achieved about 70 percent of our funding with $5 million to raise on the private side. 

Are you receiving any government funding? 

Yes; the city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County have both contributed $3.5 million in federal funds. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has also contributed $11.1 million. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines has contributed $750,000. We plan on fully funding the project with a combination of public and private contributions.  

Our private partners include an anonymous donor, the J. Randal & Sharon Cochrane Charitable Fund, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the Pohlad Family Foundation, and the Luther Automotive Foundation.

How can I help? 

You can learn more about contributing to the Build-up campaign here. You can also spread the word. We can’t do what we do without the community’s support.  

I still have questions. 

We would love to connect with you!  Please reach out to Executive Director Steve Horsfield (shorsfield@old.simpsonhousing.org) or Director of Advancement and Communications Elisabeth Loeffler (eloeffler@old.simpsonhousing.org.)