Kimball Court improvements
Kimball Court Apartments is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing deeply affordable and supportive housing to individuals who are exiting long-term homelessness.
We follow a Housing First model at Kimball Court, ensuring people most in need have immediate access to safe, permanent housing and comprehensive support services.
In early 2025, we’ll begin renovations and expansions at Kimball Court that will strengthen our ability to provide residents with the resources and programming they need to chart their own pathways toward stability and success.
An architectural rendering of Kimball Court in its renovated and expanded form.
Services at Kimball Court
At Kimball Court, we offer a range of on-site services tailored to meet diverse resident needs. Our dedicated team of professionals, led by the Minnesota-based supportive housing services provider Avivo, provides trauma-informed care and guidance, including:
- Individualized case management support and person-centered goal plans
- Income and benefit applications and renewals
- Monthly budgeting
- Tenant education
- Access to household and hygiene supplies
- Connections to community resources, including:
- Physical, mental, and chemical health services
- Employment and career education
- Food shelves
- Legal services
- Other housing, when applicable
Resident success
This person-centered approach ensures each resident receives individualized attention to help them reach their goals and build stability. Residents stay an average of four and a half years. About two-thirds of our current residents have lived on site for more than a year, with close to half calling Kimball Court home for five years or more. When residents move on, more than half transition to other stable housing or positive settings.
Expansion and renovation plans
Our upcoming improvements and expansion of Kimball Court will:
Modernize the building to align with current best practices for permanent supportive housing.
Improve housing quality by making upgrades to living spaces, ensuring comfort and functionality.
Increase capacity for more immediate, permanent housing options by creating 22 more residential units.
Enhance the resident experience through the expansion of community areas and program spaces.
Increase safety through better building design and security measures.
The impact
These upcoming changes will help us better implement our permanent supportive housing model. Our primary goal is to create a positive environment where all residents can thrive while being part of the Hamline Midway neighborhood.
Project updates
- Kimball Court Neighborhood Newsletter (February 2025)
- Kimball Court Neighborhood Newsletter (March 2025)
- Kimball Court Neighborhood Newsletter (April 2025)
- Kimball Court Neighborhood Newsletter (June 2025)
- Kimball Court Neighborhood Newsletter (December 2025)
Community questions
We understand that you may have questions about our upcoming construction. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
How will the renovations impact current residents?
The upcoming renovation and expansion will transform our current building into a more modern, supportive, and welcoming environment that better meets the needs of our residents and the wider community.
Kimball Court will remain open during construction. Residents will continue to live in the building, and staff will work closely with the construction team to minimize disruption to residents.
Improvements will increase capacity, adding 22 new residential units for a total of 98 units. This increased capacity will allow us to serve more people while also expanding access to the many important on-site services our partners provide to address mental and chemical health challenges, recovery processes, employment and career education, and other resident needs.
Improved utilities, safer building access points, and added and expanded building common spaces will also help foster a stronger sense of community and belonging.
What new security measures will be implemented?
In addition to maintaining our current contract with the 24/7 private security team Relative Intel, we will continue to proactively care for and upkeep the exterior of Kimball Court. This includes regular cleaning of the building’s sidewalks and alley, trash pickup, and installing security fencing at the currently vacant nearby Star Market until its demolition in mid-March to deter trespassing activity.
We will also continue to enhance our safety presence with advanced camera technology. By adding cameras to building stairwells and hallways – as well as a new high-definition, 180-degree camera along key areas of the front and back of the building – we’re providing more consistent security monitoring and coordinated response. Increased lighting, camera speakers, and future security fencing along the building construction site are other measures we anticipate will be useful.
What service contractors and community partners is Kimball Court working with?
As the property owner and operator of Kimball Court, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative works closely with supportive housing services provider Avivo, who provides comprehensive on-site supportive services to residents. Our contracted property management, Property Solutions & Services, Inc., and security team, Relative Intel, are available 24/7.
We also work closely with key community partners like the City of Saint Paul (Homeless Assistance Response Team, the Mayor’s Office, Familiar Faces and City Council members), the Saint Paul Police Department, the Hamline-Midway Coalition Development Committee, and neighbors.
This collaborative approach is integral to providing supportive housing amidst complex community needs that have rapidly evolved since 2020.
When will these renovations be complete?
We anticipate construction for this project to begin in mid-March 2025, with the expansion portion of the project complete by the end of the year and the full renovation complete by spring 2026.
How can I support this project?
Answer: Continuing to engage by asking questions, participating in neighborhood events, and sharing accurate information with fellow neighbors are all great ways to show your support for this project! If you have further questions, please contact Beacon at info@beaconinterfaith.org.
Stay engaged
Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has a place to call home.
