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Construction is underway on a new shelter of small, indoor units to serve adults experiencing homelessness in St. Cloud. The tiny homes are modeled after a similar project in Minneapolis’s North Loop.

The nonprofit Avivo is building the project, called Avivo Central Minnesota Village, on property it’s leasing from the city on St. Cloud’s west side near Costco. 

"We know there are over 300 people sleeping outside in this community, and we are going to change that,” said Kelly Matter, Avivo’s president and CEO. “In partnership with the city, the tri-county area and the many other providers in this community, we are excited to partner and work to end homelessness in this area."

Matter said Avivo’s model offers people safe shelter with dignity. Residents are allowed to bring pets and belongings. They also receive individual support to move from homelessness to permanent housing, she said.

The indoor village will feature 48 private, secure dwellings with common spaces for activities and wrap-around services such as health care, mental health and recovery support. 

“It is a low-barrier model. We meet people where they’re at,” Matter said. ”The only criteria for moving inside is that you have to have been sleeping outside.”

Avivo received a $7.65 million state grant to build the shelter. The city of St. Cloud allocated about $750,000 in state affordable housing aid to the project.

Some nearby businesses opposed the location for the St. Cloud shelter, voicing concerns about increased crime, garbage, loitering and other issues. Avivo officials said they looked for a different location, but were unable to find a suitable site.

St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson initially voted against the project because of its location when he was on the city council, but said he's hopeful it will benefit the community.

“What I've been happy to see is the Avivo folks reaching out to the neighboring businesses to work with them,” Anderson said. “That's really the key – building that relationship so that if there are issues, they can be addressed quickly and resolved, and not turn into a larger problem."

St. Cloud is among many Minnesota cities struggling to find solutions to a housing shortage and increase in homelessness in recent years. 

Matt Glaesman, St. Cloud’s community development director, called the Avivo project a “significant step forward” to addressing the community’s housing needs.

“Another 50 beds in the community, run very well by a proven organization, that will put folks on that right path to moving into permanent supportive housing — then into permanent housing, employment and the rest of things that come with life,” Glaesman said.

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Kirsti Marohn

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The indoor village will feature 48 private dwellings with common spaces for activities and wrap-around services, such as health care, mental health and recovery support.

Kirsti Marohn | MPR News

A row of tiny homes inside a large building

Nonprofit Avivo building new indoor shelter of tiny homes in St. Cloud

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