Ground has officially been broken on a new guest house by Family Promise in Anoka County, aiming to support families grappling with homelessness. The announcement came via Family Promise's executive director, David Frei, who outlined the plans for construction to begin later this spring. The guest house is set to feature eight apartments, providing much-needed dignity and privacy for families in need, as reported by Coon Rapids Civic Alerts.
The project signifies the second wave of development for Family Promise's Coon Rapids campus and is expected to be ready come fall of 2026. David Frei mentioned in his interview that the design intends to subtly disguise its function, aiming to make it less apparent to children that they are staying within a shelter program. This initiative is made possible partly thanks to a sizeable grant from the State of Minnesota, eclipsing three million dollars. “The Department of Human Services is helping us with a lot of this,” Frei stated, as per the City of Coon Rapids.
The remainder of the guest house’s financial needs will be met through the fundraising efforts of Family Promise in Anoka County, added Frei. With an ongoing requirement to raise about $700,000 over the next three years to complete and operate the building, the support of donors, volunteers, and advocates is crucial. These groups recently gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking, demonstrating growing community involvement in the cause. Frei revealed they’ve been working tirelessly to secure these additional funds to see the project to fruition. For more details on their mission and how to contribute, information can be found at the Family Promise in Anoka County website.
