History of Clare Housing
Clare Housing is the result of a long journey that involved the compassionate energy of thousands of individuals from many religious communities and organizations.
1987
A Benedictine, Brother Louie, opened the first home that took in people who were dying of AIDS and had nowhere else to go. Eventually, Brother Louie's was licensed as adult foster care and began to receive public funds. This model served for future homes. Nevertheless, volunteers remained the backbone of the programs.
1990
Through the efforts of members of St. Joan of Arc Church, Grace House opened in the former church rectory. Grace House is located in the Regina neighborhood of Minneapolis.
1990
The Franciscan Brothers take over the operation of Brother Louie's, renaming it Samaritan House.
1993
Agape Home was opened in an 1890's vintage Victorian house in the Central neighborhood of Minneapolis. Members of the Metropolitan Community Church were instrumental in bringing this home into existence.
1995
The introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapies changed the community's need - from end-of-life care to three types of support: 1) transitional care as people recovered from acute medical, mental health or other crises, 2) long-term care for people disabled to the extent they would probably need the 24-hour support offered by the homes for the foreseeable future and, 3) end-of-life care.
1996
Clare House is opened in the MacGroveland neighborhood of St. Paul, with major support from the Sisters of St. Francis and members of the Roman Catholic community of St. Paul.
1998
Grace II, designed and built specifically for the purpose of housing PLWH/A is opened next to the original Grace House, with great support from the local design community.
1999
Agape Dos, also designed and built specifically for PLWH/A opened in the Lyndale neighborhood of Minneapolis.
1999
Grace and Agape Homes merge to form AIDS Care Partners.
1999
With a change in the ministry of the Brothers, Clare Housing assumes the operations of Samaritan House, renaming it Damiano House.
2005
Clare Housing opens Clare Apartments, 32 units of supportive housing for PLWH/A in the St. Anthony neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis.
2006
AIDS Care Partners and Clare Housing merge.
2008
Clare Housing sets a five year strategic plan to create more housing for people living with HIV/AIDS in the twin cities and launches this vision by providing rental assistance and services to 10 individuals and families who are homeless and living with AIDS.
2010
Clare Housing completes the funding for Clare Midtown and begins construction on the site beginning in spring of 2010.
Clare Housing's board of director sets a new 4-year strategic plan. The goals are to increase housing opportunity for people living with HIV/AIDS with 60 units by 2014; increase our influence in the creation of policy and allocation of resources at the local, state and national level; enhance our financial sustainability.
2011
Clare Midtown opens providing 45 units of affordable housing for people living with HIV/AIDS.
