Affordable Housing

The Affordable Housing Ministry Team addresses the affordable housing crisis through policy work, direct service and education. The vision of Unity’s Affordable Housing Team is that every person has safe, affordable, quality housing — no matter their class, zip code, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, disability, or other factors. Our work reflects the needs of this community: shelter, development, and policy. We meet on Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Come check us out! Contact Judy Miller for the Zoom link at jmkmam@comcast.net.

Unlock the Metro!

Got spare keys? Metropolitan Council distributes the greatest number of housing vouchers in Minnesota. Yet they do not have a policy to distribute them as Project Based Vouchers (PBVs), although every other city does this. Beacon cannot develop deeply affordable housing units without PBVs. So, between now and March, we will be collecting your spare keys starting Sunday, January 22, (and then on the following first and third Sundays) at a table in the Parish Hall. At the end of March, we will hold a clergy press conference and deliver keys collected from churches all over the metro to the Metropolitan Council to help them “Unlock the Metro” by creating this needed policy. Questions about the rally or the keys? Contact Dayna Kennedy at daynamelissa@icloud.com.

Warming Hubs Update

The St. Paul Warming Hubs Committee is streamlining volunteer work to one location: Faith City Church, 781 East 7th Street. This site serves women and families, and trained staff is onsite. Volunteers are needed to hand out warm beverages and winter clothing for two-hour shifts. Each evening, staff drive to area shelters, making sure to find anyone who can’t get into a full shelter and bring them to a warming hub. Please check out the shifts that are available and sign up to volunteer!

Project Home at Provincial House

Do you know that Project Home served over 25,000 meals since moving into Provincial House this year? Every Saturday and Sunday (and some holidays), teams of volunteers are needed to assist at lunch and dinner at Provincial House (1880 Randolph Avenue). Meal teams can choose to either prepare/warm up and serve a meal planned by Chef Carlos or they can plan a menu, supply the ingredients, and cook onsite. Either way, trained staff is available to make this easy and safe. Volunteers are also needed to set the dining room tables, eat with guests, and clean up.
Sign up to help with meals!

Help monitor the playground, computer lab and other communal spaces. Staff support included! Sign up help monitor! 

Consider supplying winter gear to a Provincial Home family. Kids may need snow pants and families may need coats, boots, and hats.
Sign up to provide winter gear!

Questions? Contact Donna Franklin, Shelter Manager, at dfranklin@interfaithaction.org.

Saint Paul City Council: Four Open Seats for November Election

We have a unique opportunity to shape housing policy but we need delegates to the Ward conventions in order to vet candidates. This would entail a precinct meeting and a Ward convention (likely in March and April). If this sounds daunting, or you are curious/have questions, contact Dayna Kennedy at daynamelissa@icloud.com.

Project Home is coordinated by Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul to provide emergency shelter for families facing homelessness in Ramsey County. Unity Church hosts Project Home each year during the month of May. Over 100 volunteers are needed to provide hospitality during the evening and overnight giving families with children comfort and a safe place to stay.  

Families served through Project Home spend the day at The Family Place, a day center in downtown St. Paul. There are many volunteer opportunities there, including and cooking meals for families and providing activities for the children. 

We support and participate in Habitat for Humanity with a two week building project each year in late spring. For more information on this opportunity contact Chuck Griggs by email at  griggscb@msn.com. 

From time to time the team offers congregational and community forums on issues of homelessness and affordable Housing.

This team advocates for policy and partnerships that will increase the supply of affordable housing.  Advocacy efforts often take place through a team community partner, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. 

Each year, team members participate in legislative days for Affordable Housing at the Minnesota State Capitol.