In a groundbreaking move to combat homelessness, Agate Housing and Services is set to unveil its latest project—transforming the former Metro Inn Motel in south Minneapolis into deeply affordable housing. The nonprofit organization, committed to ending homelessness, purchased the property from Hennepin County and is poised to welcome 38 permanent tenants by January, just in time for the frigid winter months.
Revitalizing Shelter to Home: The Metro Inn Motel served as an emergency shelter during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but since mid-last year, it has sat vacant. Agate Housing and Services seized the opportunity, acquiring the property through a $900,000 forgivable loan with a 30-year fixed term, contingent on providing “deeply affordable housing.”
Affordability for All: With rents subsidized to remain below 30 percent of the area’s median income (approximately $26,000 per year), monthly rents for the revamped housing units are expected to range from $450 to $550. This move aligns with Agate’s mission to address the shortage of homes available to rent within this income bracket.
Community Support and Collaboration: Richfield United Methodist Church, situated a couple of blocks away, has actively embraced the initiative. Congregants assembled welcome kits for the new tenants, filled with bedding, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and more. The church’s senior pastor, Rev. Nate Melcher, expressed enthusiasm about participating in the journey toward affordable housing, emphasizing the importance of contributing to justice in the community.
Creating Stability and Support: The former motel will provide 38 single-occupancy rooms, each complete with a bathroom, closet, television, bed, chair, small table, and dresser. A community space, shared laundry facilities, and on-site management will foster a supportive living environment. This development marks Agate Housing and Services’ third affordable housing residential building, bringing the total number of beds under its management to 99.
Addressing Homelessness at its Core: Hennepin County, recognizing the urgent need for affordable housing, sold the former motel site to Agate Housing and Services. Julia Welle Ayres, Hennepin County’s director of housing development and finance, stressed that the initiative aims to provide deeply affordable housing for those currently relying on shelters due to the lack of available options.
Looking to the Future: With the renovations nearly complete, the former Metro Inn Motel is on track to become a permanent home for many individuals facing housing instability. The waiting list is already growing, with three prospective tenants eager to move into this innovative housing solution.
In transforming a once-vacant motel into a beacon of hope, Agate Housing and Services, in collaboration with the community, is taking a monumental step toward addressing the critical issue of homelessness in Minneapolis. As the winter chill sets in, the warm embrace of deeply affordable housing promises to make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.
