New supportive housing complex for homeless in Rochester

(ABC 6 News) – There is a new apartment complex open for those who are experiencing homelessness in Rochester.

The Mayowood Apartments now offers 30-units of supportive housing development for homeless single adults.

"Our mission at Olmsted County is to provide the foundation of a vibrant community," Stephanie Podulke, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair, said.

Rochester and Olmsted County have been providing supportive housing units like Mayowood Apartments for over a decade now.

"So maybe it starts with 30, but then you do 30 more, and then you do 30 more and pretty soon it starts to add up," Jennifer Ho, Commissioner of Minnesota Housing, said.

Pieve by piece, the community is coming together to end homelessness in our area.

"Most people who are homeless, it’s just a crisis. It’s a one-time thing. They become homeless, they resolve and they don’t come back again," Ho said. "So programs like this that really target people who have some underlying conditions, have been out on the street for a long time, this is going to be good support for them in the long term, this can make a real difference and this can inspire people."

That push for change is something that Ho wants to see and for the community, this is a step forward.

"The roof over your head is one thing, but a door that you can close with a shower that you don’t have to stand in line for and a kitchen where you can eat what you want to eat when you want to eat it. The definition of home is that place where you can just finally exhale," Ho said.

This is addressing not only homelessness in our area but mental health needs as well.

"It will provide not only that shelter but the supportive services that are so very needed," Rochester Mayor Kim Norton said.

Those supportive services include case management, transportation, and advocacy and referral to community resources.

The Landing MN in Rochester said its day center has served an average of 65 individuals experiencing homelessness each day during the month of October and over 800 individuals in the last year. The shelter says it is excited for this apartment to open and that it is permanent housing sites like this that ensure people feel supported.