Avivo and Beacon’s partnership in ending homelessness continues to grow

Avivo will provide much-needed support services to an additional 40 individuals after a major expansion of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative’s Lydia Apartments.

“I’m most excited about the opportunity to move new residents into long-term, stable housing who have been experiencing homelessness,” says Lindsey Mahrer, Avivo program manager at Lydia.

“I’m most excited about the opportunity to move new residents into long-term, stable housing who have been experiencing homelessness.”

Lydia will double in size, growing from 40 units to 80 units, to further a strong partnership between Avivo and Beacon toward ending homelessness in Minnesota.

“Without housing, the rest of life can be very fragile. Housing is that basic, most foundational place to facilitate everything else going well,” says Kynda Stull, director of service partnerships at Beacon. “Beacon has placed most of its work in that idea, not only seeing housing as a platform to build a life around, but also ensuring everyone has access to it.”

Beacon’s Lydia Apartments is one of three housing complexes where Avivo staff provide mental health and housing case management services on-site. A fourth, Bimosedaa, is currently under construction in downtown Minneapolis and will house another 48 individuals. Upon completion, that’ll mean a rise from nearly 200 units to nearly 300 units of housing in the Beacon-Avivo partnership.

Lydia Apartments is a 1960s-era building, which will be totally renovated. A new addition will double the square footage. That expansion will enable more individuals to move from homelessness to housing, with Avivo expanding case management to serve the new residents.

Avivo Beacon Lydia Apartments Minneapolis, Minnesota — Rendering of soon-to-be-completed Lydia Apartments addition, plus renovation. Lydia will double its number of housing units, going from 40 to 80 units and adding more than 26,000 square feet of additional space. Image courtesy of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.

“[We’ll soon have nearly] 300 units of housing for single adults living with a serious mental illness, past homelessness, addiction,” shares Kynda. “We’re very committed to our partnership with Avivo. We’re holding hands very tightly, Beacon and Avivo.”

“[We’ll soon have nearly] 300 units of housing for single adults living with a serious mental illness, past homelessness, addiction,” shares Kynda. “We’re very committed to our partnership with Avivo. We’re holding hands very tightly, Beacon and Avivo.”

Kynda shares that Avivo, Beacon and the building’s architects have had informative conversations with Lydia residents, as they work to create a space that’s not just bigger, but also creates an improved living experience.

While some residents at Lydia are nervous about change, many long-term residents, like Jan who’s been a resident for 13 years, are excited. “Everything’s going to be new.”

Avivo staff are happy about significant upgrades coming to their office space, including the ability to meet privately with residents in new, small-group meeting rooms.

“Lydia is such a community environment… I’m also excited for a brand-new community room where the current residents and the new residents can come together in a space that will be new for everyone,” shares Lindsey. “We’re excited to welcome 40 new residents!”