Agate will welcome residents back the first week in February.
Agate Housing and Services is celebrating the reopening of the Metro Inn. The Metro Inn provides very low-rent housing for people who have experienced homelessness. Fifteen of the building’s 38 units were damaged beyond livable conditions during a four-alarm fire on October 9, 2024.
Immediately after the fire, philanthropic donations supported the impacted residents. Funds were used to help them replace their belongings, find new homes, and generally get back on their feet, as most only got out with only the pajamas they were wearing.
“Agate’s work is about supporting those who face homelessness,” Agate’s Executive Director Kyle Hanson said after the fire. “We will do everything in our power to ensure everyone who lives in these facilities has a safe place to live. We are thankful to all our community partners for assisting us, including the firefighters and others who helped keep our Metro Inn residents safe from harm.”
Insurance covered the repairs as well as operational and rent losses. During construction, some upgrades were made to the site overall and units not impacted by the fire, including flooring, updated locks, and new security cameras. The remainder of the units were operational throughout this time.
Now that all repairs are complete, a leasing open house was held in mid January. Residents in good standing of the “old” units have been given an opportunity to move to a rehabbed unit. Rental applications for every open unit are in process, with move-ins scheduled to begin February 2.
The facility provides very low-rent housing for 37 people who have experienced homelessness. The residents of this facility are some of the hardest to house, as they do not qualify for most subsidy programs. The rent is set at $470. Most residents are older or permanently disabled and on a fixed income (e.g. Social Security).
The property has 38 units, which includes a live-in manager’s unit. The property is staffed by two people: a live-in assistant property manager and a maintenance and grounds technician. The units are single room occupancy (SRO) with a bed and private bathroom. Pets are allowed at the property and residents share a community area with kitchen, laundry, and lounge.
Metro Inn is one of six former hotels purchased by Hennepin County between 2020 and 2022 with federal COVID-19 relief funds. First housing the unsheltered during the pandemic, the long-term goal was to convert the properties to permanent affordable housing. The Hennepin County Board allocated $1.1 million to rehab Metro Inn. In November 2024, Agate purchased Metro Inn.
Financial contributions are welcome to support the property and its residents. Please give at agatemn.org/donate.
