VIRGINIA — Construction on a shelter for Iron Range families in need of emergency housing is soon to come following a groundbreaking event Tuesday, Aug. 8.
Currently in northern St. Louis County, 98 households need emergency shelter, according to a county news release. Twenty-eight of those are families with children. The nonprofit Range Transitional Housing is leading the Family Emergency Housing Project, a fourplex expected to open next spring in Virginia.
Representatives from Range Transitional Housing, St. Louis County, the city of Virginia and Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation celebrated the start of the approximately $2 million project Tuesday. The 4,700-square-foot fourplex will provide short-term housing for four families at a time with up to 16 beds.
The shelter will be next to Range Transitional Housing's office at 220 Fifth St. N., Virginia.
The typical length of stay will be one to three months while the hosing organization and Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency staff work with the family to secure permanent housing.
"For more than 20 years, we have dreamed about a place like this to serve the needs of families, especially families with children," stated Adam Venne, executive director of Range Transitional Housing, in the release. "We are extremely grateful to our funders and local partners for all of their assistance to make this project happen."
St. Louis County provided most of the funding, including $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, plus an additional $250,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant COVID funds. The IRRR contributed $400,000 to the city of Virginia for the project.
"COVID-19 exposed the need for additional Emergency Housing units in Northern St. Louis County, especially units appropriate for families with children," stated Commissioner Keith Nelson. "The St. Louis County Board and our staff have worked hard to be part of the solution to provide safe and reliable emergency housing units dedicated to serving homeless families in our community."
“Building housing capacity in northeastern Minnesota is a high priority for Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation," stated Ida Rukavina, IRRR commissioner. "The region is in need of all types of housing, from emergency housing, to single family homes and workforce housing.
“We were honored to provide a community infrastructure grant to help prepare the site and bring in utilities to serve people in need of housing during times of crisis. This project will have a positive impact to Iron Range communities and the people who live here.”
Range Transitional Housing has been providing service to homeless and at-risk families and individuals for nearly 30 years. It leases more than 90 units from private landlords for permanent supportive and transitional housing for homeless individuals and families.