Earlier this year The Salvation Army in Duluth, Minn., celebrated the opening of Plover Place, a new housing community that offers 24 furnished units for individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness.
Designed with dignity and community in mind, it includes private bathrooms, galley kitchens, and shared spaces like a full kitchen, laundry and gathering areas.
Developed in partnership with local nonprofits and funded by the American Rescue Plan, this innovative, cost-effective model is a step toward expanding stable housing across Duluth and St. Louis County. Residents also have access to 24-hour support services to help them achieve their goals and build a brighter future.
“Plover Place is an exciting addition to the Duluth community that not only will provide a place to call home for 24 individuals, but critical access to consistent, holistic case management support to increase the likelihood of ongoing stability and success for each person that calls Plover Place home,” said Captain Elysia Nordan, Duluth corps officer with her husband Captain Anthony Nordan.
According to Captain Elysia, a large percentage of people are experiencing homelessness in their community due to a lack of affordable housing, appropriate-sized housing that meets family size needs, and individual barriers to housing such as mental health concerns, substance use, disability, etc. It is a complex issue.
“Our hope is that in providing onsite, holistic case management supports and a safe and structured home environment, people who call Plover Place home will not just live but heal, thrive, and grow,” she said.
Unlike the Army’s current transitional housing supports, Plover Place is permanent, supportive housing.
“It would be wonderful to see some of our community members use it as a place to heal and grow and go on to be successful in another housing setting with fewer supports, but we recognize that Plover Place meets a unique need for individuals who may benefit from the ’round-the-clock staff support, onsite case management, and more structured community living environment. Some residents could foreseeably stay indefinitely,” Captain Elysia explained.
This new permanent housing joins a robust list of Salvation Army ministries and programs in Duluth, including transitional housing, rapid rehousing, a Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, Pathway of Hope, social services, food and medical shelves, a hot lunch program, an award-winning Rookie Basketball Association, Bible studies, men’s and women’s ministries, and youth programs.
“The opportunity to engage with our community with Plover Place has so far included involvement of corps council and congregation members in praying for and helping determine opportunities to connect with residents at Plover Place,” said Captain Elysia.
“In coming days, we’d like to host an Embrace women’s ministries group at the corps and invite women from the congregation, Plover Place and the transitional housing programs to help expand the network of support and create a bit of a mentorship opportunity.”
