Minnehaha Commons Tour Recap

On Thursday, April 3, 13 Alliance supporters and friends gathered at Minnehaha Commons for a tour and to hear about the work at the building. Opened in 2020, Minnehaha Commons is 44 efficiency/studio style apartments for single adults aged 55+ in the Longfellow Neighborhood. 

Hosted by Alliance Director of Development Craig Freeman, the tour started in the building’s spacious common room. Craig shared the history of Alliance and explained how the critical need for affordable housing for our Minneapolis neighbors, particularly those with eviction, credit, and criminal history issues, drives Alliance to find ways to create deeply affordable housing and preserve the affordable housing already in our portfolio.  

Following this introduction, Craig turned the tour over to representatives of our onsite partners. First, Touchstone Mental Health Director of Community Housing Services Vanna Preska described the onsite supportive services available to residents. As many residents of Minnehaha Commons move in directly from homelessness, these services are many and varied but are tailored to fit an individual’s needs and available 24/7. 

Next, the group heard from Property Solutions & Services Senior Regional Manager Jim Dudley. PSS is the onsite property manager at each of Alliance’s 4 large apartment buildings and does a tremendous job keeping them safe and maintained. Jim told the group about how PSS does this work in a relational manner and works to ensure residents are well taken care of. 

Following these conversations, it was time to see one of the homes at Minnehaha Commons. We were fortunate that one was vacant and available to show because a new resident was moving in a few days later and the entire building would be occupied. Tour attendees were able to see the small, but lovely, home and furniture and imagine themselves walking in for the first time as a new resident exiting homelessness. 

The tour concluded with seeing the other public areas of the building, including Touchstone’s space and chatting with some of their staff. Alliance wants to thank all attendees and our partners for making the first Alliance tour in many years such a success. If you couldn’t make it this time, though, don’t worry! More tours of more locations are coming soon.