Simpson Housing Services begins construction on new shelter in South Minneapolis
Agency to build a modern shelter with affordable housing and enriched services
October 9, 2023—MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Simpson Housing Services began demolition of the Simpson United Methodist Church building in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood on October 9.
In 2019, the Simpson United Methodist Church congregation generously gifted the church building and site to Simpson Housing Services, a nonprofit helping people experiencing homelessness. Simpson Housing Services operated an emergency shelter in the Simpson United Methodist Church for four decades, but the 141-year-old structure was never built to accommodate a shelter. Simpson has been working toward rebuilding a new shelter with affordable housing on the church site.
In summer 2023, routine historical and environmental assessments of the building revealed significant structural issues, making the church unsafe for entry or reinforcement. Simpson pivoted from planned asbestos abatement and architectural salvage to proceeding with demolition.
“The church has been important to the community for over 140 years. We’d hoped to use reclaimed elements from the church in the new shelter facility. We’d also hoped to gather as a community to mark this significant transition,” says Executive Director Steve Horsfield. “Despite our best efforts, that’s not possible. Instead, we’re looking forward to celebrating with our neighbors and friends in a new building that reimagines shelter.”
The Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments will be a low-barrier facility intentionally designed to meet the short-term housing needs of people experiencing homelessness. The facility will include 72 shelter beds and 42 units of permanent supportive housing. On-site space for service partners will increase access to resources that support guests’ physical, mental, and chemical health needs, which will improve and expedite permanent housing placements and reduce the number of chronically homeless adults.
“Shelters that are easy to access with rich services on site are our strongest resource in resolving homelessness, one person at a time,” says Horsfield. “We are looking forward to our new, better-than-ever shelter.”
Simpson’s Board President, Lee Thoresen of RBC Wealth Management, says, “Simpson staff partner with people to achieve independence from systemic barriers that have caused generational poverty and homelessness for individuals and families in our community.”
Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2024. Project for Pride and Living is the developer partner, Watson-Forsberg is the general contractor, and LHB is the architect. Shelter operations transitioned to an interim location in January 2023 and will continue uninterrupted while Simpson constructs the new facility.
Simpson is in the final phase of its Build-Up Campaign, which supports a reimagined shelter and housing facility, program/administration space, and funding for sustainability. This is Simpson’s largest fundraising campaign in its 41 years of service. The agency has raised $42 million to date and remains on track to raise the remaining $5 million. Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments is expected to open in 2025.
For more information on the Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments and its funding partners, or to support the capital campaign, visit the Build-Up Campaign page.