American Indian Community Development Corp. delivers housing on E. Franklin Av.

A column by Neal St. Anthony about the new Anishinabe Bii Gii Wiin apartments in Minneapolis concludes by pointing to signs of hope for affordable housing preservation and cites GMHF's NOAH Impact Fund.

Gabriel Corbesia works as a security guard and recently graduated from Summit Academy near the top of his carpentry class.

Corbesia, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa who grew up in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, has wrestled with alcoholism and homelessness.

Today, he is a thankful, productive citizen who also volunteers with the Alcoholics Anonymous classes at the American Indian Center on E. Franklin, and is looking for a new apartment after a fruitful stay at 20-year-old Anishinabe Wakiagun, which has 45 efficiency apartments and support services for American Indians who are struggling with homelessness, chemical and mental health issues.

Corbesia, 35, looks forward to a carpentry job and productive future. He participated in the grand opening of the second stage of the affordable housing project. It’s called Anishinabe Bii Gii Wiin, an additional 32 efficiency apartments, dining and meeting rooms.

The $11.4 million project, including a refresh of the original development, provides 77 small units in a beautifully landscaped setting that 25 years ago was a wasteland, littered with booze bottles at E. Franklin, east of Bloomington Avenue. Today, American Indian art galleries, coffee shops and small businesses largely have replaced gin joints and vagrancy.

Colorful banner image featuring the skyline that you might typically see in a small city or town in Greater Minnesota.

About NOAH Impact Fund

NOAH Impact Fund is a subsidiary of Greater Minnesota Housing Fund.  
This program was established to enable the preservation of existing  
affordable housing for Minnesotans.  

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Greater Minnesota Housing Fund

GMHF is AERIS rated and a member of the  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

 
AERIS RATED AAA +2 FHLB Des Moines

Staff Contacts

John Errigo
Director of Investing & Fund Manager
jerrigo@gmhf.com
651-350-7224

General Contact Info

NOAH Impact Fund
c/o Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
332 Minnesota Street
Suite 1650-West
Saint Paul, MN 55101