If you get the chance to meet Andre at one of the many groups he’s involved in, you might not realize right away that you’ve come across a community powerhouse. As a person who was once very shy and withdrawn, he now uses his gentle and quiet demeanor to create welcoming spaces for his community.
Gregory Speak embodies his name. He’s lived at Clare Housing for over 30 years, he’s seen it all and he’s ready to speak on it. From his longtime work with the Imperial Court, to coming out as gay in the 70’s, to living at Clare Housing as a long-term survivor of AIDS, he has a deep well of experience and wisdom to share with his community.
This legislative session we’ve been hard at work lobbying our representatives to protect funding for services that benefit people living with HIV, including our residents. With millions of dollars in federal funding cuts looming, we’re asking our state to set aside funds to ensure these life-saving programs can continue to operate. Clare Housing staff and residents have testified at Senate and House committees throughout this legislative session.
“Just look forward to the shenanigans. You’ll see a lot more of fun and professional shenanigans.”
That’s how Patrick Ingram describes what to expect during their Clare Housing board term.
On a frigid January evening, the kitchen at Agape Dos fills with the smells of a warm home-cooked meal and the chatter of old friends. Steam rises from a pot of gravy that volunteer Philip…
We’re very pleased that Carmen Tomaš, a former Scattered Site Housing Manager, has returned to Clare Housing as our new Mental Health Program Manager. Carmen brings with her a wealth of experience from her years working at Clare and her time at People Incorporated. Working alongside our Director of Health Programs, Hibo Ibrahim, we’re very excited to see how Carmen and Hibo will improve services and expand resources for our residents and staff.
We’re happy to share the news that Clare Housing has been selected to receive over $4.5 million in housing preservation funds, via four different grantors. These grant awards are to be used exclusively for the rehabilitation of the 32 affordable rental units at Clare Apartments in Minneapolis. First opened in 2005, Clare Apartments was the first apartment building in the state dedicated to supportive housing for people living with HIV.
Kristi has been journaling for over three decades and moved into Clare Housing with her huge duffle bag full of journals. She rifles through them and shows their varied papers, designs, and writing. She doesn’t…
We’re very excited to share the news that Clare Housing has been awarded $2.5 million dollars from HUD through their Housing Interventions (HINT) to End the HIV Epidemic program, a part of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. Unlike the majority of HOPWA funding, which is distributed through annual formula allocations, HINT is a competitive award aimed at promoting best practices in the field.
Recently released data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirms an unfortunate reality: the HIV/AIDS epidemic is not over, and the disparities are growing. With 324 newly diagnosed HIV infections in Minnesota in 2023 the state saw a 24% increase over 2022, and the highest number of new diagnoses in more than a decade.
When Clare Housing was founded in 1987 to serve people living with HIV, the needs of our residents were all very similar: a safe space to receive care while in the final stages of what was then a fatal disease. Over the years as treatments improved along with the prognosis for the disease, our services changed too.
This fall Clare Housing has started helping people living with HIV and experiencing homelessness transition off the streets quickly thanks to funding from Hennepin County and the hard work of Clare Housing’s Intake Coordinator Amber Poppe. With the help of our collaborative partners at the Indigenous People’s Task Force and Healthcare for the Homeless, clients have successfully moved into hotels temporarily before permanent supportive housing.
Homelessness takes a toll on the individuals experiencing it and our collective society physically, morally, spiritually, and financially. The greatest cost for those experiencing homelessness is seen in significantly reduced life expectancy: in Minnesota they have a rate of death 3 times higher than the general population. The dollars and cents of a life outside is also very high, with over $44,700 of taxpayer dollars spent a year on a single chronically homeless person. Thankfully, we know that the solution – housing – is far more affordable than the cost of the status quo.
Foxie, Kelly, Bud, and Bear approach the park with the biggest smiles – if you believe dogs can smile. They are being led by their owner, Tyrie. Along with charming humans, Tyrie also has the…
Mary believes in the power of housing and how foundational it is for all aspects of life. In her words, “Housing is healthcare and Clare Housing successfully houses people who then become healthier because of…
Damon is a tall, bearded man who likes to relax in his new apartment catching up on sports. He speaks poetically and deliberately, each word a tile he’s carefully setting down. When asked about how…
Imagine you’re in a nursing home. Your body is in pain because of a foot injury and you can’t walk. You must walk again, but physical therapy is excruciating. And there’s a deadline. If you…
