Formerly homeless families now have a permanent home

Families celebrate new beginnings at Camden Apartments

Early this summer, 23 previously homeless families celebrated a new chapter in their lives, begun when they moved into the newly built Camden Apartments.

A June open house featured singing, food, and words of encouragement from residents, funders, and community and government leaders. A clear highlight of the day was the ribbon cutting on a playground built for the children who live in the complex by Faegre and Benson volunteers.

PPL and Emerge developed the building as partners. PPL now provides property and asset management. Emerge provide ongoing services to Camden residents, including housing support, individualized counseling, family intervention and stability, job training assistance and parent education. Emerge is a nonprofit agency focused on building stronger communities through social enterprise and community development.

Camden is a $6.6 million, three story, 23-unit apartment building, located at 4643 Lyndale Avenue in North Minneapolis’ LindBohanan neighborhood. Developed by PPL as supportive housing for families, most of whom are headed by single custodial fathers, it features roomy apartments and substantial community space.

Construction on the Camden Apartments began in February 2006. The project architects are Rapson and Associates and the general contractor is Meisinger Construction. HUD, MINNESOTA Housing, National Equity Fund, Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, Federal Home Loan Bank and the Family Housing Fund provided financing. Funds to support family services are being provided by the Frey Family Foundation, Target Foundation, State of Minnesota and Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Summer, 2006