City officials and community leaders held an event on December 12 to showcase a housing project at Great River Landing, at 813 N. 5th Street, for those who were formerly incarcerated and transitioning from homelessness. Hosted at the building developed and owned by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, the event saw dozens show support for the project, which provides 72 units of deeply affordable housing and wrap-around services through nonprofit partner 180 Degreesfolks who qualify for assistance.
According to Beacon Interfaith Housing Collective, “Great River Landing is a stepping stone for men who are exiting incarceration and homelessness. It’s a place where they can live, work, meet their goals, and find stability.”
Both Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and City Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison, whose Ward 5 is where Great River Landing is located, spoke at the event. “Right here, in this space with these people, with 72 homes that have opened and are now being reopened once again, and with an organization like 180 Degrees, this will fill a necessary gap,” said Frey.
“You shouldn’t be doing a second sentence in our city or in community once you’ve already done your sentence in prison.”
“I’m really excited about this partnership,” said Councilmember Ellison. “I don’t need to tell any of you all how important Great River Landing is as an asset, as a resource to the people in this community. The kinds of supportive services that happen in this building create stability for people.
“One of my best friends growing up, we played football together,” Ellison continued. “He hit a rough patch in his life, and he was living in Great River Landing. It got him back on his feet. It was the actual community asset that he needed.”
Originally opened in 2019, Great River Landing has served many folks who would otherwise not meet qualifications for other housing options. In 2022 there was controversy at the property over more than two dozen men being abruptly moved out of transitional housing with little explanation. Better Futures, the nonprofit providing services at the building stepped out of its role.
In March of 2023, Beacon partnered with 180 Degrees—a nonprofit with over 50 years of experience supporting men transitioning from incarceration to take over services at the site. Richard Coffey, chief programs officer at 180 Degrees, noted, “We are servants of the men who live in this building. We are going to fight for them. We are going to be a voice for them,” he continued. “The two main things that individuals need when they’re coming out of incarceration are housing and jobs. Here, they can access both of those things.”
The multi-agency partnership has raised over $1 million to provide services for the residents at Great River Landing and, according to stakeholders at Beacon, will require an estimated $1.5 million in fundraising over the next five years to continue providing wrap-around services to the individuals who call Great River Landing home.
This story was updated on January 10, 2024, to fix inaccuracies.