AICDC is addressing the problem of a lack of affordable elder housing for the greater American Indian community in South Minneapolis. Located on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Columbus Avenue, this development will contain 32 2-bedroom units of affordable housing for elders. American Indian culture is family-based and it is not uncommon to see elders raising grandchildren as both legal guardians and caregivers.
AICDC has recognized this lack of elder housing that can be designed to address this need; elders’ supportive housing will not permit any extra family members to live with them. The size of the units that are offered as supportive elder housing is another reason that elder supportive housing doesn't work for American Indian elders. The reason being that because even if the elder were allowed to have family live with them, most rental units are only built with a one-bedroom design. These are common problems in elder supportive housing and AICDC is addressing these problems by the construction of a four-story, 67,000 square foot, mixed use building with underground parking designed for an elder-only residential facility.
This project will help meet the need for permanent housing of urban American Indian Elders who will also choose to participate in nearby cultural opportunities in the vicinity. Residents will be at or below 30% of AMI. The site is across the street from Peavey Park, adjacent to Chicago Crossings and only ¾ of a mile from downtown Minneapolis. The Columbus Avenue site is pedestrian friendly and in close proximity to many forms of transit, including the LRT line. The project will allow for American Indian business to grow in this urban area. This project has met market feasibility for the area and has met many requirements for Ventura Village Master Plan.