Project Updates

Lincoln Place Construction Continues

August 7, 2009 by Steve

Lincoln Place in Eagan
What happens to foster kids when they're no longer kids? After years of unstable living situations, young people frequently age out of the foster care system with few housing options.

Alarmed by the number of Dakota County residents younger than 25 lacking permanent addresses, county officials have partnered with the city of Eagan to build Lincoln Place, a 24-unit apartment complex for homeless young adults, at Gold Trail and Cedar Grove Parkway.

The complex, for residents 18 to 24, will be owned by the Dakota County Community Development Agency, with "supportive housing" services provided by the Link, a Minneapolis-based social services agency. Residents will be expected to meet with case managers, work on job skills and seek employment.

A groundbreaking for Lincoln Place was held in June. The building, which will cost $4.7 million to build, is under construction and will open next spring.

Source: http://www.twincities.com/ci_12971488

August 7, 2009 by Steve

Lincoln Place Groundbreaking Event
We had a wonderful groundbreaking ceremony for Lincoln Place on June 4th, 2009. Community members gathered at the site for the connection of "Links for Change" with special participation from Falcon Ridge Middle School and the Dakota Country CDA. Guest speakers including Mayor Mike Maguire (City of Eagan),Commissioner Dan Bartholomay (Minnesota Housing), Commissioner Barbara Blumer (CDA Board Chair) and Executive Director Deborah Renshaw (The Link) shared inspiring thoughts. And finally, the first shovels of dirt were turned in the official start of construction of Lincoln Place.

August 3, 2009 by Cheridyn

Lincoln Place Groundbreaking Event
The Lincoln Place Groundbreaking event is scheduled for June 4th at 2:00pm. Groundbreaking is at 1997 Gold Trail (Intersection of Gold Trail and Cedar Grove Pkwy) in Eagen, MN.

June 4, 2009 9:08am by Tim R

Falcon Ridge Middle School to host "Links for Change"
Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley is beginning to build their “Links for Change” paper chain of support. Over the next month students will be raising money and adding paper links to the school’s growing paper chain. The school hopes to present their chain at the groundbreaking event next month where they will unite their chain with other groups throughout the county. If you would like to get involved and build a chain at your work, school, or organization contact us today!

May 4, 2009 9:07am by Tim R

Apple Valley Wal-Mart offers $1,000 Matching Grant
May 1st, Wal-Mart Apple Valley committed $1,000 to the Lincoln Place. This matching grant will make every dollar we raise double and represents the growing community support for the project. Thanks to Wal-Mart staff for their commitment to ending homelessness in Dakota County.

May 4, 2009 9:06am by Tim R

Matt Young’s 25th Birthday Memorial Party
Dakota County resident Merri Solstad has selected The Link’s upcoming Lincoln Place to be the beneficiary of Matt Young’s 25th Birthday Memorial Party. Visit www.remembermatty.com for information about this remarkable memorial event. The event will be held at Cedarvale Bowling Lanes in Eagan, March 29th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Join us in remembering Matt and help a great cause at the same time.

March 25, 2009 10:13am by Tim R

Lincoln Place
County partners had selected Lincoln Place as the name for the upcoming homeless young adult housing facility. Lincoln is a national historical and inspirational figure symbolizing the principles of human equality and widely considered one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history. The groundbreaking for the project will occur Spring 2009 which is the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

March 18, 2009 11:08am by Tim R

Dakota County, The Link partner on Eagan apartments for homeless
A nonprofit group started by two former Minnesota Vikings is raising money to partner with Dakota County on an Eagan apartment complex for homeless and disabled young adults.

The Link, a Minneapolis-based youth advocacy organization, expects to receive the go-ahead from Dakota County commissioners next week to provide social services for residents in the new building, slated to open in the spring of 2010.

The complex, which will be the largest of its kind in the metro suburbs, will include 24 efficiency apartments for people ages 18 to 24, with an on-site caretaker, social service staff and case managers.

To read the full story: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11753477

Young adults with nowhere to go get a place to call home
Young adults who outgrow the foster care system or find themselves couch hopping with nowhere to live may find a new home in Eagan.

The Dakota County Community Development Agency, with Dakota County and the Minneapolis nonprofit the Link, will break ground this spring on an apartment building for homeless adults between 18 and 24.

The $4.71 million building, slated to open in spring 2010 at Cedar Grove Parkway and Gold Trail, will include 24 efficiency apartments, a caretaker's apartment and on-site offices for social services staff from the Link. Residents will meet regularly with the case managers for guidance as they set life goals, receive workforce training and participate in support groups.

To read the full story: http://www.startribune.com/local/south/39892107.html

County likely to approve funding for youth housing
Dakota County commissioners recommended Feb. 10 that it's worth making a financial commitment to shelter homeless young adults, provide them services and help them find jobs.

Although the county's responsibility for long-term program funding could increase, commissioners recommended the county join with the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) to build and manage the state's largest suburban supportive housing project for young adults ages 18 to 25.

Under the plan, the CDA will construct and own the three-story $4.7 million 24-unit, Eagan building, primarily using Minnesota Housing funds.

Dakota County will find the occupants and conduct assessments to determine what services the young adults need. The Link, a non-profit organization with a history of working with at-risk youths, will provide the services.

To read the full story: http://www.thisweeklive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6778&Itemid=49

February 13th, The Link kicked off its Links of Change campaign and its Get us off the Ground campaign. Check out our main Dakota Housing page to find out more about these efforts.

Dakota County updated their estimates of homeless youth and young adults in the county. The County estimates 35 (18 to 21 year old youth) and 20 (22 to 24 year old young adults) are homeless on any given night. And in a given year they estimate 500!

See What Our Visitors Have Said: