Duluth’s inventory of affordable housing expanded on Friday with the grand opening of two new supportive housing developments: Wadena West and Welch Place Apartments.
Located next to each other on 52nd Avenue West, the new buildings offer a total of 90 units designated for single adults experiencing homelessness. As supportive housing, the apartments pair affordable rent with on‑site services designed to help residents stabilize and rebuild their lives.
A number of local and state leaders attended the ribbon cutting, including Minnesota Senator Jen McEwen, who emphasized how critical supportive services are to long‑term stability.
“To have those supports in place- the furniture, food available, a case worker available to help navigate the systems to get help — it will be a game changer for everyone who can come into this building,” McEwen said.
Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho called the moment a significant achievement made possible by years of partnership, “People who have not known stable housing for the majority of their life- we know that when you do it with love and compassion and care, and the funding to do that. We can welcome people home,” Ho said.
The $31 million project was funded through a blend of local, state, and federal support. Major contributors included: Minnesota Housing, St. Louis County, City of Duluth, and private investment partners, including Minnesota Equity Fund, a joint venture between GMHF and Cinnaire, which made a $4.9M equity investment to help bring this critical housing to life.
Together, the new developments aim to address longstanding housing challenges in the region and provide stable homes for some of Duluth’s most vulnerable residents.
Read the full story from WDIO.
Photo credit: WDIO
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