Supporting good health through affordable housing

Essentia Health colleagues unpacked brand-new bed sheets, dishes, silverware and more in preparation for move-in day at Brewery Creek Apartments, Duluth's newly constructed affordable housing units.

Essentia Health contributed $1.425 million to One Roof Community Housing for the Brewery Creek Apartments, a partnership that brought these 52 affordable housing units to Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. Thirty-two units are permanent supportive housing for homeless youth, who receive wrap-around services from Life House and the Human Development Center. 

At Essentia Health, we know having a place to call home is integral to an individual’s physical, emotional and mental health. Essentia also provided $150,000 to One Roof for the Hillside Homeownership Program, which aims to reduce barriers to homeownership by providing forgivable down-payment assistance loans.

“Being innovative in how we support housing is a crucial part of keeping our communities healthy,” said Tonya Loken, Essentia’s community relations director.