Interfaith Action –
Project Home
Completion Date: In Progress
Build Partner: Rise Collaborative Development
Service Organization: Interfaith Action
As a partner on the Interfaith Action – Project Home project, Housing First Minnesota Foundation, alongside build partner RISE Collaborative Development, will help fund and complete critical improvements to the existing property into a fully functional, family-centered shelter. Funding secured by the Housing First Minnesota Foundation will be directed toward the construction and build-out of these spaces, while RISE Collaborative Development will provide construction expertise.
The Foundation’s project scope will support the following improvements:
Commercial Kitchen: Build a new commercial kitchen, which is not currently present at the property, to support the preparation of more than 32,000 meals, plus thousands of snacks, served to Project Home guests each year.
Family Dining Space: Reconfigure a large conference space into a dedicated dining room and refresh the interior to create a welcoming environment where families can gather, share meals, and connect.
Guest Laundry Facility: Build an on-site laundry facility, providing families with convenient access to an essential everyday resource during their stay.
Program Lab: Convert the hotel’s former bar area into a multifunctional “program lab” for learning, computing, collaboration, and meetings. The space will be used by family advocates and coaches, workforce development trainers, other program staff, and the families they serve to support skill development and progress toward housing stability.
Indoor Children’s Play Space: Cover the hotel’s former indoor pool area so it can be safely repurposed as an indoor play area and add equipment to create an engaging, family-friendly environment for children.
Early Childhood Learning Area: Transform the former fitness center into an early childhood play and learning space designed to support the developmental needs of Project Home’s youngest guests.
These improvements are essential to helping Project Home reach its full capacity and ensuring the facility can meet the everyday needs of families experiencing homelessness. The project goes beyond creating a safe place to sleep. It will provide spaces where parents can access resources, develop skills, meet with advocates, and work toward permanent housing, while children have safe and age-appropriate places to play, learn, and experience greater stability during a difficult period in their lives.
Project Home will primarily serve families with children experiencing homelessness in St. Paul, Ramsey County, and surrounding communities. Approximately half of the individuals served are expected to be children, although the shelter will serve individuals and families of varying ages, backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities. The anticipated average length of stay is approximately 75 days, with stays varying based on the unique circumstances and needs of each family.
By investing in these specific spaces, Housing First Minnesota Foundation funding will help Project Home increase its ability to operate at full capacity and provide families with the resources and environment necessary to move toward greater stability with dignity and hope.
