- CommonBond Communities transforms
five historic structures into 58-unit affordable-housing
development
- Upper Post Veterans Community offers
studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with support
services for homeless veterans and their families
- Funding received from many
public-private partners, including $9.3 million from UnitedHealth
Group and $5.5 million from Minnesota Housing
Military veterans and their families struggling with
homelessness now have new homes and resources to help end the cycle
of homelessness, with the completion of a 58-unit
affordable-housing community at Fort Snelling.
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Newly moved-in veterans join Congressman
Erik Paulsen and project partners in cutting a ceremonial ribbon to
celebrate the opening of Upper Post Veterans Community, a 58-unit
affordable-housing community at Fort Snelling. CommonBond
Communities developed the property with major support from
UnitedHealth Group, Minnesota Housing and the Minnesota Twins,
among others. L to R: Dave St. Peter, president, Minnesota Twins;
Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal; Patrick Kelly,
executive director, Minneapolis Veterans Administration Health Care
System; Tom Wiffler, chief operating officer, UnitedHealthcare
Military & Veterans; Deidre Schmidt, president and CEO of
CommonBond Communities; Congressman Paulsen; veterans/residents
Austin Poons & Judy Ganino; Warren Hanson, president and CEO of
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund & MEF; and veteran/resident
Bobby Rongitsch (Photo: Greg Page).
During a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and open house, newly
moved-in residents, veterans groups, project partners and community
leaders heralded Upper Post Veterans Community as vital in helping
reach the goal of ending homelessness among military veterans in
Minnesota.
Austin Poons, a veteran who served in the United States Army in
the 1970s, was one of the first residents to move into Upper Post
Veterans Community. Through the years, Poons has suffered from
post-traumatic stress and major depressive disorder and in recent
years has struggled with homelessness. Along with his nine-year-old
golden retriever, Dutchess, Poon’s new home and life is making a
difference. He and Dutchess keep a busy schedule helping others and
volunteering at the Veterans Hospital.
“For the first time in two years, probably more, I feel at
peace,” said Poon. “I am in a better place mentally and I love this
place. Everything is so convenient – the Veterans Administration is
a couple of blocks away and I have a park nearby. I feel like I am
home for a long time.”
Congressman Erik Paulsen, a longtime supporter of the project,
joined Poons and other newly moved-in residents for a tour of their
new homes.
“Minnesota’s veterans and heroes have sacrificed for our nation,
and we have a responsibility to ensure that they have the support
and resources needed when they come home,” he said. “A large part
of that support includes safe, affordable housing, and the new
units at Fort Snelling will mean a better life for a number of
veterans.”
CommonBond Communities, which has served the region for more
than 40 years and is the Midwest’s largest nonprofit provider of
affordable housing with supportive services, responded to the
challenge of bringing an end to veteran homelessness with the
transformation of five historic structures into the new veterans
community.
Upper Post Veterans Community features 58 studio, one-, two- and
three-bedroom apartments equipped with central air conditioning,
vaulted ceilings and walk-in closets, among other amenities. Common
areas for residents include a computer lab, courtyard, elevators,
laundry facility, lounge, media center and community room.
CommonBond, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs and
other partners, has created the Advantage Center, which will
provide onsite social and support counseling and monitoring,
academic and job training, and other services for residents.
“This is a proud moment for so many of us as this new community
truly serves as a model for helping address the growing need for
permanent housing and services for military veterans,” said Deidre
Schmidt, president and CEO of CommonBond Communities. “Of course,
we wouldn’t be here today without the support of so many partners
who helped transform these five buildings into a vibrant community
that will serve our veterans and their families for years to
come.”
A collaboration of many public- and private-sector partners
helped secure the $17.2 million to build Upper Post Veterans
Community.
Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group was the largest investor,
providing $9.3 million in equity through a partnership with the
Minnesota Equity Fund (MEF), using Low Income Housing and Historic
Preservation Tax Credits approved by the state. Minnesota Housing
allocated $5.5 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds.
“Today marks an important milestone in helping end homelessness
among Minnesota’s veterans and their families,” said Minnesota
Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal, who co-chairs the Minnesota
Interagency Council on Homelessness, the coalition of 11 state
agencies that are working to prevent and end homelessness. “This
new community gives hope that we can and will end veteran and
chronic homelessness in our state.”
“We are grateful to be a part of this project that will have a
tremendous impact in helping to end homelessness among our
veterans,” said Tom Wiffler, chief operating officer,
UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans, which provides health
care services for nearly 2.9 million service members, military
retirees and their families. “Upper Post Veterans Community will
provide housing and support services so veterans can live healthier
lives, and help those with the greatest need break the cycle of
homelessness and poverty.”
“The completion of this new veterans community helps meet the
critical need to provide military families with quality, permanent
housing with supportive services,” said Warren Hanson, president
and CEO of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF). “The
Minnesota Equity Fund will continue its work to invest in
well-designed, high-quality affordable-housing developments that
provide new hope and opportunities for our veterans and their
families.”
Additional funding partners include the Family Housing Fund,
Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Home Depot Foundation, Metropolitan
Council, NeighborWorks America and the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Major League Baseball, the Pohlad Family Foundation, Twins
Community Fund and the Minnesota Twins provided $700,000 to fund
the Advantage Center.
“We are proud to step up to the plate and support this important
community that will serve Minnesota veterans and their families for
years to come,” said Dave St. Peter, Minnesota Twins
president. “Through the onsite Advantage Center, residents are
connected with programs and services that are the lifeline
working-age adults need to stabilize their lives, youth need to be
academically successful, and individuals with disabilities need to
live independently.”
More than 50 veterans and their families have moved into Upper
Post Veterans Community as of the end of September. Full occupancy
is expected by mid-October.
To learn more about Upper Post Veterans Community, make a
donation to support veteran residents, or volunteer to serve as
mentors and family companions to support the residents and their
families, visit www.commonbond.org or call 651-291-1750.
About CommonBond Communities: CommonBond Communities, the
Midwest's largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing with
services, has served the region for over 40 years. CommonBond
develops, owns or manages over 5,400 affordable rental apartments
and townhomes throughout 50 cities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and
Iowa. CommonBond is considered a national leader and innovator in
the affordable housing and community development field. For more
information visit www.commbond.org, or follow @commonbondcomm on
Twitter.
About Minnesota Housing Finance Agency: Minnesota Housing
finances affordable housing opportunities for low- and
moderate-income Minnesotans while fostering strong communities.
Find out more at www.mnhousing.gov, Twitter @mnhousing and at
www.facebook.com/minnesotahousing.
About The Minnesota Equity Fund: MEF is a subsidiary of
the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF), a non-profit Community
Development Financial Institution, established by The McKnight
Foundation and Blandin Foundation. GMHF provides loans, equity
investments, grants and technical assistance to create affordable
housing in Minn. MEF’s initial fund is a strategic partnership
between GMHF and Great Lakes Capital Fund (GLCF), a nationally
recognized syndicator of low-income housing tax credits with $2.5
billion under management and expertise in affordable housing.
About UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH)
is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping
people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system
work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad
spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms:
UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits
services; and Optum, which provides information and
technology-enabled health services. For more information, visit
UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow
@UnitedHealthGrp on Twitter.
Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth
Group.
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CommonBond CommunitiesJeff Nelson, 651-290-6201
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