Project Home, operated by Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul, provides emergency shelter and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness in Ramsey County. Since March 2021, Project Home has been located at the Provincial House, 1880 Randolph Ave. in Saint Paul. Now a recent opportunity for expansion has opened up new possibilities.
On March 31, Interfaith Action took ownership of 1010 Bandana Blvd. W., previously operated as the Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel. The Walz-Flanagan administration awarded $6 million administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services for this acquisition through the American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Ramsey County, longstanding partners to Interfaith Action in their work providing emergency shelter to families experiencing homelessness, is also supporting the project with leadership from Director of Housing Stability Keith Lattimore and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. “Addressing homelessness requires collective effort and strategic investment. Interfaith Action’s expansion will provide immediate relief while setting families on a path toward long-term stability,” Lattimore stated.
“The growth and impact of Project Home, which started as a mobile shelter hosted by Interfaith Action’s member faith communities, shows this strength in action,” said CEO Liliana Letran-Garcia. “This milestone enables Interfaith Action to write the next chapter of our story with ownership of a new home, providing shelter to even more unhoused families while continuing to strengthen our roots and relationships in the community.”
She said this transformational opportunity allows Interfaith Action to establish a permanent hub in Saint Paul to address an ever-growing community need — providing emergency shelter, food, clothing, and other stability needs. Plans for the new location include the expanded space for the organization’s Project Home (one of only two emergency family shelters in Ramsey County’s Coordinated Entry system), other programming fostering economic stability and mobility, and administrative operations.
The acquisition of this facility comes at a critical time, as Minnesota faces a growing homelessness crisis. According to the Wilder Research 2023 Minnesota Homeless Study, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the state has reached its highest levels in decades. In the Twin Cities alone, over 12,000 individuals experience homelessness on any given night, with families making up a significant portion of those affected.
Minneapolis has also seen fluctuating numbers in homeless encampments. As of March 2025, the city reported 16 active encampments with 43 residents, a marked decrease from prior months. This reduction is attributed to enhanced police enforcement and community outreach, though advocates caution that addressing homelessness requires long-term housing solutions rather than temporary clearances.
“The work of Interfaith Action is brought to life by community. Strength is built when communities of faith and wisdom gatherings work together to support their neighbors in achieving economic stability and mobility,” said Letran-Garcia.
Interfaith Action’s new facility will not only offer emergency shelter but also critical resources such as rapid-exit housing case management, workforce training, and educational support. These services are crucial in breaking the cycle of homelessness and fostering self-sufficiency among vulnerable populations.
Although no date is confirmed, the space is set to open in the summer of this year. With the establishment of this new hub, Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul is positioning itself at the forefront of community-driven solutions to homelessness. The organization’s ongoing efforts highlight the power of faith-based and local partnerships in driving meaningful, sustainable change for families in crisis.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com
As long as security is provided. Otherwise, is will end up like the Wilder set up at Milton and Minnehaha. Also, once set up and running, will Project Home sell it off like Wilder did which caused our community harm by the up tick in crime.