Celebrating Five Years of Stability and Community at Minnehaha Commons

Since the planning stages, Alliance Housing Inc and Touchstone Mental Health have collaborated closely to bring Minnehaha Commons to life. In 2022, Property Solutions & Services, Inc. joined the team, adding to the strength of this unique partnership.

Minnehaha Commons serves adults aged 55 and older with very low incomes who have experienced homelessness, often for extended periods ranging from 1 to 22 years. Together, we have supported 92 individuals over the past five years, creating a lasting impact in our community.

• 11 residents moved in when we opened in 2019 and have proudly lived here for over five years.
• 5 residents joined in 2020, bringing our four-year residents to 16.
• 4 residents moved in 2021, achieving three or more years of tenancy.
• 6 residents moved in 2022, marking two or more years of stability.

This means that 58% of current tenants have lived at Minnehaha Commons for at least two years, underscoring the sense of community and stability we strive to provide. Additionally, 13 new residents joined in 2024, and we're excited to welcome them to the Minnehaha Commons family as they settle into their new homes.

Since opening, 49 residents have transitioned from our community for various reasons, with tenancies ranging from one month to 4.6 years and averaging about two years. Their reasons for moving reflect diverse life changes and needs:

• Higher level of care (nursing home): 16 individuals
• Mutual lease termination: 9 individuals
• Moved to other housing/supportive housing: 9 individuals
• Nonpayment of rent: 7 individuals
• Deceased: 5 individuals
• Criminal activity/violence: 3 individuals

National Perspective on Older Adults and Homelessness

Minnehaha Commons reflects a growing need for supportive housing for older adults who experience homelessness. According to recent data from the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, 138,098 adults over age 55 were homeless on a single night, with nearly 1 in 4 unsheltered individuals being 55 or older. This marks the first national age demographic data for homelessness, highlighting a crisis that is projected to grow—homelessness among older adults could nearly triple by 2030. The population of homeless individuals aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 40,000 to 106,000.

For adults experiencing homelessness, age-related health concerns begin much earlier, with people in their 50s often showing signs of aging seen in the general population at 70 or older. Conditions such as memory loss, frequent falls, and functional impairments are prevalent, making supportive housing programs like Minnehaha Commons essential to providing stability, safety, and dignity.

Our five-year journey at Minnehaha Commons embodies this commitment, offering a foundation of affordable, supportive housing tailored to the unique needs of older adults who have experienced homelessness. As we look to the future, we're focused on improving outcomes and supporting long-term tenancy, helping residents maintain stability, build community, and thrive in their homes.