Replacement for Rochester Warming Center Announced
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Leaders from the City of Rochester and Olmsted County have announced a likely replacement for the Rochester Community Warming Center.
The warming center, which is located along 4th St. Southeast in downtown Rochester, was initially set up in 2019 as a temporary overnight emergency shelter. A recent presentation at a Rochester City Council study session indicated the center, which can house up to 43 people per night, turns away an average of 1-2 people per night.
A count of Rochester’s homeless population conducted in July found 174 unsheltered individuals, a higher amount than what was expected, officials say.
On Tuesday, local leaders announced a plan that would increase beds available to unsheltered residents if it wins approval for state funding. Olmsted County Housing Director Dave Dunn says the county plans to apply for a state grant to cover $10 million of the $12.7 million estimated to transform part of the Residence at Old Towne Hall into an emergency shelter and a space that offers services that officials are calling a Housing Stability Center.
Dunn says early estimates indicate the emergency shelter could house up to 80 people and said that number could be flexible based on demand. Mary O’Neil, the Housing Program Manager for Olmsted County, says having services available to homeless residents can help them overcome hurdles to becoming sheltered.
She says a common issue for homeless residents is overcoming past trauma and trauma that comes with being homeless. “That transition of actually getting into an apartment or a home can be extremely challenging with that traumatic background and if there’s any other challenges that a person may have. So having that support, walking side by side with people is super important to their success.”
The new shelter and services center would be located on the backside of the building that has occupied the property at 607 East Center St. since the 1960’s. The County has agreed to purchase the building.
Dunn says the individuals currently living in the building will be able to transition into 66 units that are on the floors 2-4. He says the building’s current 17 residents will not be forced out and instead be transitioned into the available units.
Dunn said the County intends to honor a lease for housing in the building that Decorah, IA-based Luther College has to house students on the first and fifth floors. The lease is set to expire in May of 2025.
The state money comes from $100 million for housing approved by the legislature during the 2023 session. Dunn says the county should find out if they have won the grant by the end of the year. Construction would begin in 2025 and the new shelter would be ready by 2025.
City and County leaders are also planning to brief members of the neighborhood of the proposed shelter at Old Towne Hall. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday night at the Boys and Girls Club. The neighborhood association has not taken a position on the proposal.
Correction: A previous version of this story said the 66 units for housing are on floors 2-5