Moving Forward: Spring 2026 Housing Update
As Spring 2026 arrives, we acknowledge the various ways we’ll move forward this year. We continue to operate 23 properties, and Beacon is making progress on advancing the development of new and renovated Beacon homes to serve more individuals and families in the Twin Cities Metro. In addition, we’ve had to face the difficult reality of our current funding environment—and make some hard decisions along the way.
Our collaborative efforts are increasingly important as we meet each moment with skill and strategy. Thanks to all of you, whose contributions are helping make home possible for more Twin Cities neighbors! Join us as we look ahead at what’s to come in 2026:
Development Update: Aster Commons, Richfield
Aster Commons began like all Beacon homes, with the faith that smart development and public support could meet an urgent community need. Hennepin County and various partners identified a glaring gap: there were not enough supportive homes specifically designed specifically for neurodiverse youth at risk of homelessness. It was an exciting prospect that Beacon and others championed heartily.
However, last week, we had to announce for the first time ever that Beacon had ceased the development of a new property. Aster Commons simply cannot move forward. After a fourth unsuccessful attempt to secure capital funding from Minnesota Housing, Beacon has decided to no longer pursue the development of Aster Commons. The need remains clear and urgent, and community support has been strong, but resource scarcity and misaligned funding priorities make the development impossible to deliver. Read more here.
Property Update: Audubon Crossing, Minneapolis
Through a thoughtful process, Beacon has decided to sell its ownership interest in Audubon Crossing to its former co-managing general partner, MetroPlains.
So, why is this good news? MetroPlains will maintain services and affordability commitments and continuity to Audubon Crossing residents, while allowing the focus of our small but mighty staff team and resources from the sale to be directed to Beacon’s core supportive housing mission.
New Home: Prairie Pointe, Shakopee
As of early March, 33 families now call Prairie Pointe in Shakopee home. We are on track to meet our goal of having all 42 homes fully leased by the end of April. Various efforts have combined to create a warm welcome for each new resident:
- The Beacon community supplied residents with household essentials, including cleaning supplies, toiletries, and tools.
- Bring It Home, Minnesota rent vouchers – the rental assistance that the Beacon Collaborative advocated for and won! – are operationalized and being administered to eligible households for rental assistance.
- Service partner Volunteers of America (VOA) is working hard to establish beneficial connections with the Shakopee Police Department, Scott County Child Welfare, and local congregations. Each of these relationships is meant to strengthen a supportive ecosystem that centers residents and their family’s autonomy.
With construction finished, all that’s left is to complete final landscaping and exterior work this spring! Save tuned for more information about our Prairie Pointe Grand Opening celebration scheduled for May 14, 2026. Read more of the Prairie Pointe story here.
New Homes: Gladstone Crossing, Maplewood
Beacon’s Gladstone Crossing will provide about 40 high-quality, professionally managed apartment homes for young families, some of whom make less than $30,000 a year.
Onsite service providers will help residents improve their physical and mental health, employment opportunities, education, financial literacy, and parenting skills. Beacon will begin construction in 2026 and families will move into their new homes in 2027.
Thank you to all who supported Gladstone Crossing through a designated contribution via the State Housing Tax Credit in 2025 and 2026. This year’s contributions will help fill remaining gaps and will set the development up for long-term success.
New Homes: The Aragon, East St. Paul
The Aragon will include homes for families who earn between 50-60% of the area median income (AMI), as well as apartments that are affordable for lower income households. The Aragon’s 53 apartments are planned to be a mix of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units, approximately 13 of which will serve families or individuals with barriers to housing stability due to a disability or history of homelessness.
Funding for The Aragon is in process and The St. Paul City Housing and Redevelopment Authority voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution reserving 2026 low-income housing tax credits for The Aragon. Applications for funding for The Aragon have been submitted to Minnesota Housing and the Met Council; we anticipate hearing decisions from these funders this spring.
Renovation & Expansion: Kimball Court, Midway St. Paul
Construction on Kimball Court is rapidly advancing—as you drive past the building on Snelling Ave., you’ll notice how much work has already been completed. The addition is expected to be completed in April, and renovation of the original building will be completed in October 2026.
Furnishing of residential and office spaces will take place as soon as construction is complete on the addition, and new residents will begin moving in shortly thereafter. Renovated program and community spaces, coupled with enhanced entry security, will address concerns expressed by some residents and neighbors, and provide a high-quality, positive experience for all.
Renovation: The NorthView (Minneapolis)
When complete, The NorthView will include 31 units of family supportive housing across four different buildings. Public funding for this recapitalization project will provide much-needed physical, energy efficiency, and health and safety improvements and rental assistance resources to keep each home affordable to future residents. The NorthView is expected to close and start construction in summer 2026.
Of the 31 units in the development, all will be supported by rental assistance from the Minneapolis PHFA to ensure tenant payments are no more than 30% of their annual income. Of the 31 homes, 20 are reserved for High Priority Homeless households, with incomes at or below 30% of area median income (AMI). Supportive services for these households will be provided by Simpson Housing. The remaining 11 homes are reserved for households at or less than 50% AMI.
