About West Creek
Overview
In the past few years, Carver and Scott Counties have made great strides toward ending homelessness among our neighbors. The community saw a need for emergency housing for families and Families Moving Forward was born. The community saw a need for emergency housing for youth in crisis and The Hope House was born. Now, the community sees that although these are great first steps, more needs to be done to meet our neighbors' needs. .
The Need
Are there really people experiencing homelessness in our suburban neighborhoods? Yes. According to the 2018 Wilder count of people experiencing homelessness, there were 95 individuals in the two counties counted on one night, 29 of whom slept outside or in their cars. Sixteen were children with parents. These surveys only count people that are known to housing caseworkers and who give permission for their information to be included, so the numbers are actually much higher. In January of 2020, 94 persons were on the Carver County Homeless Waiting List with families accounting for 26% and individuals the remaining 74%. Currently there ae 64 young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 who have been identified as homeless for more than 6 months and are seeking assistance
There are no emergency housing options for single adults or families in either county, with the closest options being referrals to shelters in Minneapolis.
Additionally, those journeying out of homelessness don't usually move straight from homelessness to housed. There is a tremendous shortage of “in-between” housing options that can provide affordable transitional steps toward housing security.
We believe that we can do better to care for our neighbors who need help.
Why would one of our neighbors become homeless? For those who are just able to get by, a crisis like the loss of a job, a breakdown of a marriage or relationship, the landlord raising the rent on the apartment or even a broken-down car leading to the loss of transportation can be enough to send someone spiraling into homelessness. Most individuals who are experiencing homelessness in our community have jobs, but can’t afford the cost of living and there are very few open rental properties. A solution is needed to help these individuals get a fresh start.
In late 2015, a group of Chaska community partners gathered together to strategize about meeting these needs. These partners include members of nonprofit organizations, pastors and leaders of faith communities, local government, and concerned citizens. Since that initial discussion, much work has been done on creating a model for emergency and transitional housing that reflects both the values and needs of our community.
Vision
To tackle the young adult homeless problem the Community Asset Foundation a local 501c3 nonprofit based in Chaska agreed to take on the challenge . Over the past four years the Foundation has worked to secure a site and line up funding to construct a facility specifically designated for young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 coming out of homelessness.
The vision is to provide 19 apartments available for month-to-month rentals for those individuals who can afford some rent but have not been able to secure a permanent place to call home. The apartment complex will have 18 efficiency units with one additional apartment for a live in caretaker. Included in the building is a commons room, laundry, counseling office and outdoor patio.
Residents will be provided case management services through the CAP Agency, a local service agency that focuses on young adults facing the challenges of homelessness. This apartment building is a broad community collaboration operated by experienced housing professionals with many organizations working together to provide services like meals, mental health, employment and skills training, housing search assistance and more.
Site
Locating a home for persons transitioning out of homelessness not only necessitates a unique design for success, but also requires a site that is in close proximity to shopping, employment, transit, schools and social services. A site at the corner of Hickory St. and Chaska Blvd in Chaska is idea as it meets each of these criteria.
The Cost
The total construction cost of the project is $4.9 million and the Foundation has been successful in securing funding for the full construction cost.