Minneapolis is unveiling a new affordable multiplex to help tackle the city's housing shortage.
The Minneapolis Public housing Authority and city leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new multiplex in the Windom neighborhood on Monday.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says the project successfully converted underutilized space into a modern, multi-family home ahead of schedule.
"You allow us to do something beautiful like this shift over a home that is in desperate need of repair and simultaneously house not just one family, but in this case three," Frey said.
He says now the city plans to review and approve more designs for additional multiplexes elsewhere in the city to help fill a backlog of 3,500 families still waiting for affordable housing throughout the city.
The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's Executive Director Abdi Warsame says this grand opening is a small step towards helping those families find a home.
"MPHA staff are excited to begin helping families move into their new homes," Warsame adds. "Leasing these units will begin next month with the goal of having families moved in early September, just in time for the new school year."
The city’s housing tax levy provided $1.25 million in funding for the project.
In addition to the Windom triplex, MPHA is also replacing a previously vacant single-family home in the Regina neighborhood with a new duplex as a part of this project.
