Create New Homes

Minnesota faces a shortage of affordable housing. We aim to do something about it.

Minnesota and the greater Twin Cities metro are failing to keep up with the accelerated demand for new affordable housing.

Right now, 46% of Twin Cities metro area renters pay more than 30% of their income toward housing costs.

And those of us with low incomes bear the brunt of this housing deficit. Over 73,000 extremely low-income households live in Hennepin County alone. Yet, there are only 14,000 housing units considered “affordable” for these individuals and families.

Something needs to be done.

As a Minnesota housing nonprofit committed to change, Beacon leads the way in creating supportive, deeply affordable housing in the Twin Cities metro area.

For over 20 years, we’ve built and renovated quality, affordable apartment homes that people want to live in throughout the Twin Cities metro. And we’ll continue to step up until all people have a home.

As a collaborative of congregations, the Beacon community works to achieve more than we ever could on our own.

We organize to remind elected officials that the public strongly supports new apartment homes in our neighborhoods.

We secure funding through state, federal, tribal, corporate, and private partners to build and sustain affordable housing developments.

We create affordable homes in all types of communities to serve individuals with low and extremely low incomes.

We create affordable homes and advance equitable housing across Minnesota

Together with our partners and collaborative of congregations, we’re changing the landscape of home in our communities.

That means engaging in new construction and rehabilitation projects throughout the Twin Cities metro to provide quality, affordable homes for people with the lowest incomes.

Here’s what our interfaith collaborative has been able to accomplish by working together:

• We provided hundreds of affordable homes across over 20 buildings in the Twin Cities metro for low and extremely low-income individuals and families.
• Our work has helped invest millions of dollars into the local economy.
• Millions more will soon be invested in creating hundreds of new affordable homes across the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area.
• Over 60% of Beacon housing is considered “supportive housing,” which means residents have access to onsite services that assist them in parenting, financial literacy, mental health, and other areas essential to healthy living.
• 85% of our homes serve residents with incomes at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Beacon’s current properties in development

New affordable housing takes many years to develop.

We take time to work with the community to understand unmet needs, craft a vision of supportive services, compile public resources, and collaborate with partners who provide wrap-around services and quality property management.

Currently, we’re working on several affordable housing developments for people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness, including:

• Aster Commons: Affordable apartment homes in Richfield with a vision of serving autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.
• Emerson Village: Affordable apartments in North Minneapolis for families proud to call the Northside home.
• Gladstone Crossing: Maplewood homes focused on creating a supportive environment for young families.
• Prairie Pointe: Affordable apartment homes in Shakopee for families.
• Vista 44: Hopkins homes for families who will be supported in housing security and family stability.

Interested in learning more about Beacon?

Whether you want to connect with like-minded individuals, get involved in the housing justice movement, or learn more about Beacon’s approach to housing, consider joining us for Beacon 101.  

Click the button below or visit our events page to sign up for a time and date that work best for you.  

Looking for housing?

We do not handle rental inquiries or applications for our properties. If you are looking for housing, check out these resources.