Thank you to those who attended our Powderhorn Open House! We are thrilled to share MACV’s newest initiative to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. Decades of work have resulted in this moment, where we are more prepared than ever to serve the Veterans who have lived without a home for far too long.

This building may look like any other apartment complex to passersby. However, the Powderhorn apartment building represents a cutting-edge movement to address long-term and recurring Veteran homelessness in the Twin Cities. MACV has managed supportive housing in the Twin Cities for Veterans emerging from homelessness for decades, but never at the scale, we have today. MACV is honored that Governor Walz, Commissioner Herke, and other leaders have designated us as the nongovernment organization to create this opportunity for our local Veterans.

The unveiling would be impossible if not for the support of MACV’s critical partnerships with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and Hennepin County. We thank Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Herkey and Director Kelly from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System for speaking at the open house.   The confidence shown by our supporters adds momentum to Minnesota’s progress toward ending Veteran homelessness across the state.

The expansion of MACV’s supportive housing program is happening because we know that the single most effective way to end homelessness is by creating affordable housing. The funding made available to MACV by MDVA and the Minnesota legislature, combined with leveraged awards from private donors, will create up to 55 units of affordable long-term supportive housing for Veterans emerging from chronic or recurring homelessness. The three properties already secured with MDVA funding, combined with two more set for acquisition in the weeks ahead, amounts to the single most extensive period of growth in MACV’s capacity since our founding.

Honestly, if you had told us a year ago this was where MACV was heading, no one would have believed it. We did not expect our reputation as service providers for Veterans exiting homelessness to result in expanding our existing property management operations.

At the open house, Sharon Yoo from Kare 11’s Breaking The News had an in-depth conversation with MACV’s Vice President of Property Operations Sara Riegle and Chief Operating Officer Jon Lovald. Click here to watch the full interview.

The reason behind this movement is simple: We know that affordable housing is a must for ending Veteran homelessness, but experience and research shows that sometimes it’s not enough. The Veterans targeted for our supportive housing properties like Powderhorn cope with various challenges related to their backgrounds, health, or emotional well-being. They need ongoing services, accessibility, and no-barrier rental contracts to thrive.

At the open house, Reg Chapman from WCCO-TV  had a chance to take with Army Veteran Deangelo Monet about living in the Powderhorn apartments. Click here to watch the video.

The staff members supporting our residents are the folks who make sure that Veterans not only get housed but stay housed. We do not ask the Veterans who make their home here to have all their ducks in a row before they sign a lease. We ask for the Veterans who live here to believe they deserve dignified and safe housing. MACV is committed to meeting these Veterans’ needs with knowledge and expertise honed over decades of experience.

Every single person who resides here has chosen to start a new chapter in their lives. We are lucky to walk alongside the men and women rebuilding their lives in these apartments. Thank you for supporting our mission through your partnership. MACV could not do this work without you.