Beacon Now: The Super RFP & Funding Construction for New Affordable Housing in Minnesota, October 11, 2023
2023-10-11 14:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session.
Ever wonder how Beacon puts together the capital to finance a 20-million-dollar building? While we can’t cover the answer in half an hour, we can illuminate the most significant piece of the puzzle: Minnesota Housing’s annual Super RFP.
We can also cover the great lengths that Beacon’s Housing Development team goes to every summer to create new affordable homes.
And that’s not all!
This event will provide a front-row seat into what’s happening with our Great River Landing affordable housing development and our new supportive services partner, 180 Degrees Inc.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.
Sign up today!

Learn about the Aster Commons affordable housing development
2023-10-17 19:00 - 19:45
Aster Commons will provide about 40 apartments at a great location in Richfield along with services focused on young neurodivergent adults at risk of homelessness. We are now at the stage of obtaining the city’s approval for land use. So, whether you live in Richfield or a nearby community, showing up at this land use event will set a positive tone, encourage city officials to vote in favor of affordable housing, and ensure this project can take another step toward breaking ground.
Join us October 17 for a virtual update on Aster Commons, and learn about what to expect during land use meetings.

Beacon Now: Great River Landing Update, October 18, 2023
2023-10-18 14:00 - 14:30
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session.
This event will provide a front-row seat into what’s happening with our Great River Landing affordable housing development and our new supportive services partner, 180 Degrees Inc.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.
Sign up today!

Richfield Planning Commission Meeting, 10-23-2023
2023-10-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Richfield Municipal Center, 6700 Portland Ave, Richfield, 55423, United States
The Planning Commission Meeting on October 23 represents a major step toward building Aster Commons in Richfield. During this event, members of the Richfield Planning Commission will review the proposal to build Aster Commons and consider the potential challenges and issues around the project.
Members of the planning commission will then likely vote on whether or not to approve the project, which is why we need members of the Beacon community to show up in support of this desperately needed affordable housing development for neurodivergent young adults.
This is where local democracy takes place AND where you can influence it just by showing up in support of affordable housing for at-risk individuals. If you’re looking for an easy, impactful way to support the development of deeply affordable housing, THIS IS IT!
You can learn more about Aster Commons and what makes it such a crucial, one-of-a-kind development by visiting our blog.

Beacon Leadership Team (BLT) Training, October 30, 2023
2023-10-30 18:30 - 20:30
Beacon Leadership Teams, or BLTs as we call them, act as liaisons between congregations and Beacon Interfaith.
BLTs play a crucial role in generating support for affordable housing. They amplify Beacon’s mission to ensure all people have a home and help communities put faith into action.
This workshop will help you learn how to:
– Identify members for a BLT
– Develop leaders and engage your congregation
– Craft an organizing plan that connects your faith traditions to housing advocacy
Are you ready to amplify the power of your community, live out your faith values, and take meaningful action toward expanding access to affordable housing?! Then sign up today for this virtual event.

Rent is Due: Day of Action – 11/01/2023
2023-11-01 08:30 - 09:00
It’s clear: We need Bring it Home, Minnesota! This transformational rent support legislation will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Wednesday, November 1, join us on Zoom at 8:30 a.m. for a thirty-minute meeting, where we will provide updates on where the initiative stands at the legislature, how momentum continues to grow, and what action we’ll take together to keep moving Bring it Home, Minnesota forward!
This meeting will have Closed Captions available.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Building Home Training, TBD
2023-11-13 18:30 - 20:30
ATTENTION: This event will NO LONG TAKE PLACE on November 13 as originally planned. We are in the process of rescheduling the event!
For more information, please contact Fritz Bimberg at fbimberg@beaconinterfaith.org.
What does it take for Beacon to develop new affordable homes and change public policies around housing? This is your chance to find out!
Explore why homelessness exists, understand the buckets of funding needed to create affordable homes, discover the nuances of the housing development cycle, and find out why we can’t simply build our way out of homelessness.
Most of all, find out how YOU can help ensure all Minnesotans have a safe, affordable place to call home!
This is a virtual event!

Richfield City Council Meeting, November 14, 2023
2023-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Richfield Municipal Center, 6700 Portland Ave, Richfield, 55423, United States
The Richfield City Council will be considering land use approvals for Aster Commons, and we need to show up strong to demonstrate the depth of support for these new homes! Wear blue to show you want Aster Commons to move forward!
Aster Commons would be about 40 new homes focused on autistic and other neurodivergent young adults who have experienced homelessness.
Click here to begin your registration:

Fall Clergy and Staff Meeting - 11/16/23
2023-11-16 12:00 - 13:30 | New Branches, 5011 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, United States
Join Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative for a quarterly hybrid gathering space for clergy and staff of congregations to build relationships and skills for the work we share as a collaborative. Join Beacon organizers and our new CEO, Chris LaTondresse, for a preview of our policy work for 2023-24 and a conversation about where clergy involvement is most impactful in these campaigns. The common theme is calling for an increased commitment and investment in housing for people with the lowest incomes – below 30% of the Area Median Income. How will preachers, theologians, and religious leaders bring this moral issue to the forefront in our public life?
Lunch provided for in-person attendees.
A Zoom meeting with Closed Captioning is available. Please register below to receive the link to join.

Richfield City Council Meeting, November 28, 2023
2023-11-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Richfield Municipal Center, 6700 Portland Ave, Richfield, 55423, United States

Housing Townhall - 11/30/23
2023-11-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
With the 2024 legislative session starting in February, join Beacon and other housing organizations to begin a dialogue with state policymakers about what we can do this year to advance our vision that all people have a home. We will hear from impacted communities, policy advocates, and state legislators about the tremendous need and how we can address critical issues like funding to build deeply affordable homes, create more dedicated funding for housing, and expand Bring it Home, Minnesota.

Rent is Due: Day of Action – 12/01/2023
2023-12-01 08:30 - 09:00
It’s clear: We need Bring it Home, Minnesota! This transformational rent support legislation will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Friday, December 1, join us on Zoom at 8:30 a.m. for a thirty-minute meeting, where we will provide updates on where the initiative stands at the legislature, how momentum continues to grow, and what action we’ll take together to keep moving Bring it Home, Minnesota forward!
This meeting will have Closed Captions available.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Celebration of a new chapter at Great River Landing
2023-12-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Great River Landing, 813 N 5th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, United States
Join Beacon as we celebrate a new chapter for Great River Landing. With a recommitment to our vision to provide quality supportive housing for men exiting incarceration or otherwise impacted by the criminal justice system, we are thrilled to celebrate our new partnership with 180 Degrees, bringing strength and stability to the community of residents at Great River Landing.
It took a village to create Great River Landing – a collaborative of public funders, generous donors, and community partners. All are invited to join the event to hear from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison, leaders from Beacon and 180 Degrees, and some of the exceptional individuals and institutions who launched this supportive housing with their commitment to Great River Landing as a critical community asset.
We will be hosting a supply drive to welcome new Great River Landing residents home in conjunction with this event. Please bring any new items from the following lists to the site on December 12th. If you are unable to attend, we will be accepting donations at Beacon’s office Monday through Thursday, 9am-3pm (2610 University Ave W Ste 100, Saint Paul, MN 55114).
Home Goods
Blankets
Pillows
Body wash
Shampoo
Hand towels
Bath towels
Wash cloths
Bathmats
Toilet brush
Flat and fitted sheets for twin beds
Area rug
Trash cans
Dish cloths
Dish scrub brush or sponge
Oven mitts
Drinking glasses
Dinner plates
Dinner bowls
Silverware
Dish detergent
Can opener
Cooking utensils
Food storage containers
Coffee mugs
Cleaning Supplies
All-purpose cleaner
Disinfecting wipes
Window cleaner
Hand duster
Detail brush
Scrub brush
Laundry deterrent
All-purpose cleaner

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 1/3/24
2024-01-03 08:30 - 09:00
As we work towards our vision for “all people to have a home,” we know that at the beginning of every month, over 200,000 households pay too much rent. Housing insecurity jeopardizes the health of individuals and families, drives the growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness, and increases the racial disparities already present.
We gather the first Wednesday of every month as Beacon advocates to change this reality. We are working to create rental assistance for all through Bring it Home, Minnesota, create new policies to make more deeply affordable supportive housing available, and other policies so all people have a home. During our 30-minute virtual meeting, you will hear updates on Bring it Home, Minnesota, and our other campaigns, hear from special guests or elected officials, and be given concrete actions to do.
Our goal is an efficient, clear meeting once a month for you to feel connected to the work and able to take impactful action. We have been holding this meeting successfully since June of 2020, and for these three years, people joining together to take action once a month have made a difference.
A Zoom meeting with Closed Captioning is available. Please register below to receive the link to join.

Unpacking Race and Housing - 1/6/24
2024-01-06 09:00 - 14:30 | Lake Harriet United Methodist Church, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, 55410, United States
This workshop provides a foundational framework for understanding and being able to take action on the racial disparities in housing that exist due to the historical legacy of racism in our country and state. At Beacon, we believe that to further racial equity we first need to acknowledge the fact that Minnesota has some of the widest racial disparities in the nation – especially in housing. Secondly, to close the disparities we must learn about and from our history and how it shaped who we are and what we need to do today. Participants will leave this workshop better equipped to lead their congregation and the collaborative in campaigns that address this legacy of racism in housing and homelessness.
**Registration for this event is full. If you’d like to learn more about future offerings of Unpacking Race and Housing and other Beacon trainings, please email Emily at egoldthwaite@beaconinterfaith.org**

Congregational Convening - 1/18/24
2024-01-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Richfield United Methodist Church, 5835 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55419, United States
Join hundreds of Beacon community members to celebrate the impact of our advocacy and organizing power.
We’ll ground ourselves in the urgency of the current housing crisis, explore Beacon’s proposed interventions and legislative campaigns in 2024, and identify actions we can take to increase access to deeply affordable housing.
We’ll hear from Beacon’s CEO, Chris LaTondresse, and other housing champions. Plus, we’ll spend time in assembly and workshops that will equip us to build the power we need to meet this moment.
The first half of the program will be livestreamed with link to be shared before the event. The second half of the program is interactive in-person workshops with no virtual option.
Light refreshments will be provided.

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 2/7/24
2024-02-07 08:30 - 09:00

Building Home: What It Takes - 2/12/24
2024-02-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
What does it take for Beacon to develop new affordable homes and change public policies around housing? This is your chance to find out!
Explore why homelessness exists, understand the “buckets” of funding needed to create affordable homes, discover the nuances of the housing development cycle, and find out why we can’t simply build our way out of homelessness.
Most of all, find out how you can help ensure all Minnesotans have a safe, affordable place to call home!

Beacon: 101 - 2/14/24
2024-02-14 16:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
Thousands of Minnesotans experience homelessness every single day, and hundreds of thousands more have housing that is unstable. At Beacon we work every day toward our vision that all people have a home. Come learn about our work to create deeply affordable, supportive homes and impact the policies and systems creating homelessness. This event is open to anyone to join, but it is especially designed for folks who are new to learning about Beacon. This is a virtual event – a Zoom link will be sent to you via email once you register.

Start with Home Rally for Affordable Housing - 2/20/24
2024-02-20 13:00 - 14:30 | MN State Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Saint Paul, 55155, United States
Please join Beacon for our Start with Home Rally for Affordable Housing on February 20, 2024 from 1-2:30pm. We are gathering for equitable and stable housing in Minnesota! We’ll be at the Capitol Rotunda with other leading nonprofit housing organizations to make sure home is front-and-center in the minds of our elected officials as they create state budgets.
Register to get more information. Then invite your friends, neighbors, congregation members, coworkers, and everyone else to join you! We all benefit when we can all afford our home.

Beacon: 101 - 2/21/24
2024-02-21 08:30 - 09:00 | Virtual

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 3/6/24
2024-03-06 08:30 - 09:00

Beacon Lobby Day - 3/11/24
2024-03-11 09:00 - 14:00 | Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN, 55155, United States
Beacon’s 2024 Lobby Day will take place in person at the Capitol on Monday, March 11. Join us and share your passion for housing justice with your elected representatives!
Beacon staff will schedule your meetings with your representatives. Please register here. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, March 5 – this helps us do our best to coordinate a meeting time with your district’s elected official. Beacon staff will lead a housing policy training before you meet with your representatives.
Policy handouts, a Beacon t-shirt, and lunch will be provided. At noon, a housing policy expert will join all Beacon members for lunch to share their vision for equitable, sustainable housing in Minnesota and answer questions. We hope you’ll participate!
Please note that significant construction will be going on in the Capitol complex this session. We will be happy to set up virtual meetings with legislators on another date for those with mobility issues.
Please reach out to Nancy Nord Bence for more information at nbence@beaconinterfaith.org.
REGISTER HERE

Beacon: 101 - 3/13/24
2024-03-13 16:30 - 17:00 | Virtual

How to Build Your Beacon Leadership Team - 3/17/24
2024-03-17 14:30 - 16:30 | Virtual
Beacon Leadership Teams (or BLTs, as we like to call them) are the necessary liaison between the congregation and the collaborative. This workshop focuses on who to look for in creating your team, how to develop leaders and engage your congregation, and how to develop an organizing plan that connects your faith traditions to the work of the collaborative in housing and policy.

Beacon: 101 - 3/20/24
2024-03-20 08:30 - 09:00 | Virtual

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 4/3/24
2024-04-03 08:30 - 09:00

Beacon: 101 - 4/10/24
2024-04-10 16:30 - 17:00 | Virtual

Hearing: Multifamily Residential Development Act - 4/12/2024
2024-04-12 08:30 - 22:30 | State Office Building, 100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Rm 10, Saint Paul, MN 55155, 100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Rm 10, St. Paul, MN, 55155, United States
Join us in-person or virtually to support the Hearing: Multifamily Residential Development Act in the House State Government Committee at 8:30 am this Friday, 4/12, in the State Government Building, Room 10.
This bill would be transformational to changing our land use laws to make it easier to build more multifamily homes like Beacon creates.
There is opposition to changing the status quo, which gives outsized power to NIMBY. We need supporters in the room in their blue Beacon, showing their values that all types of homes belong in all communities.
If you cannot join in person, please register and mark you will be joining virtually below. We will email you the location to watch the hearing.
Click here to sign up for the event on Friday.

Beacon: 101 - 4/17/24
2024-04-17 08:30 - 09:00 | Virtual
