Launching Homes at Aster Commons
West Metro Housing Preview, Event Recap. Written by Ricky Kamil, Congregational Organizer.
When our values of compassion come together with so many others, we can create a vision of deeply affordable housing that will be transformative to so many.
On Thursday, April 28, leaders from across the collaborative met at Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield for a preview of our newest housing development: Aster Commons.
Aster Commons is committed to deeply affordable housing focused on autistic and other neurodivergent young adults. At Beacon, we understand the need for supportive, independent housing for this population. In fact, 25% of residents in our youth housing identify as neurodivergent.
Although there is a lot of effort at all our properties to meet everyone’s needs, Aster Commons will be intentional in its construction, design, and services to best support individuals who identify as neurodivergent.
As we take the first steps needed to make Aster Commons a reality, we’re learning together. The term young adults who are neurodivergent may be new to many of us. In the context of Aster Commons, we mean persons ages 18-26 with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD), Autism spectrum disabilities, and other brain disorders that might not fall neatly into stated categories.
We’re still searching for the right service provider who will help continue to define this term. As we focus on independent living, the right partner in this endeavor will help residents grow and thrive!
It takes a significant investment to make homes like Aster Commons a reality. At Beacon, we take risks. If we don’t take these risks together, the most vulnerable in our community will continue to be underserved.
As over 100 individuals in person and online gathered for this preview event, Rev. Neal Cannon from Woodlake Lutheran Church (pictured on the far left) began with a prayer to center us in this work. We then heard from Gayle Kaplan, a Campaign Action Team member, about the need for Aster Commons.
As we build power for home, it’s important to hear the stories from those most impacted. We heard from Ed Levin and Sara Watne, who are both parents of children on the autism spectrum. Ed shared how he also works with young adults who are neurodivergent and often sees the need for this housing for those who have little to no family support.
Sara shared stories of her family as well. We learned of her son experiencing the world differently than those who are neurotypical. She shared that we’re all God’s creation and that there is beauty in all perspectives of the world. We just need to be able to provide the resources so we can learn from all perspectives.
Following these inspirational stories, Beacon’s Director of Housing Development Kirsten Spreck told us what the development will look like.
Aster Commons will be about 40 homes designed for people who are neurodivergent. These will be deeply affordable efficiency apartments. We hope to build these homes in Richfield. We will continue to work with the city of Richfield, Hennepin County, and the state to make these homes a reality.
To emphasize the importance of this development, we heard from the Mayor of Richfield, Maria Regan Gonzales (pictured). She is passionate about affordable housing and knows it cannot come into existence without groups like Beacon who advocate for a better world.
Marillene Allen helped illustrate the ways we can all come together to create this transformative housing. First, we can all be prepared for a land-use meeting to make sure the property can build the affordable housing. Second, we can build relationships with our elected officials to build power for home.
Finally, we can work within our congregations to show up and support home. It takes a “Seed” gift of $15,000 per home before the shovels hit the ground to make these homes a reality. These “Seeds” support all the work that goes into creating home, such as architectural and service design, securing funding, and the congregational organizing necessary to secure our vision.
As the night drew to a close, Rev. Cindy Hillger from St. Martin’s-by-the-Lake ended with a benediction (pictured). Reiterating the need for this housing and sharing her connection with the city of Richfield, she ended the night on a high point.
This night was an example of what we can do together as a collaborative. When our compassion brings us together, we can all build a better future. That is what we will do with Aster Commons.
To get your congregation involved in the creation of Aster Commons, email Deb Rodgers at drodgers@beaconinterfaith.org to learn more. Additionally, click here to learn how you can make a gift to support the creation of these new homes.
