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The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center in Minneapolis celebrated the start of construction of additional program housing Wednesday.

The $14.1 million project will include renovating the building’s top two floors and converting the space into 24 

 units, four of which will have accessibility features for those with disabilities.

The apartments will also be utilized for emergency housing for unsheltered Indigenous women and families, CEO Ruth Buffalo said. Those living in the apartments will have access to services in the resource center on the bottom two floors of the building, which offers advocacy, support groups and healing spaces.

“I’m hoping that through this project, we can also be helpful to the community and curb further tragedies from happening and helping individuals, families and communities live long, healthier, happy lives,” Buffalo said.

The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, or MIWRC, partnered with local and state programs for funding including UnitedHealth Group, Cinnaire, Minnesota Equity Fund, and Greater Minnesota Housing Fund. 

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says the city gave $2.5 million toward the cost of construction through the 

“When you give people a foundation of home, when you give them the service that they need and the care and the love that every human being on this planet deserves, they’ll flourish and they’ll do amazing things,” Frey said.  

Hennepin County District Four Commissioner Angela Conley says the resource center will offer much needed affordable housing in the community. 

“Housing is a fundamental human right, and there is no reason for any Indigenous person to be homeless on stolen land,” Conley said.  

Construction is expected to be completed in July 2025. In 

, the center also celebrated its 40th anniversary.  

Chandra Colvin

Author

The $14.1 million project will include renovating the building’s top two floors and converting the space into 24 permanent supportive housing units, four of which will have accessibility features for those with disabilities.  

Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center starts construction on affordable housing in Minneapolis

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