New Location

Services

What services will be offered at the new location?

We will continue to provide the same services that we now offer at our current location, which include refuge, meals, bathrooms, hygiene supplies, clothing closet, laundry, mail/paperwork storage, WiFi, phone, court hearings (via secured kiosks with the State), paperwork support (IDs, birth certificates, medical, legal, etc.) and micro funding for guests special requests (key replacements, IDs, bus tickets, bus passes, car repairs, rental/application assistance, etc.).

What are some new services that will be offered?

Due to various limitations and space in our current location, we are not able to provide a space for our guests to shower, sleep or store their belongings. At the new location, we will have showers, lockers, beds, private rooms, a commercial kitchen, a courtyard and ample space for our guests to rest.

Engagement

How does Listening House partner with other organizations?

We collaborate with partners across St. Paul. Our space is open for various providers to come in and serve our guests. We have providers that run medical/vaccine clinics, some that provide mental/chemical health support and assessments, outreach/housing support, and others that offer vocational/employment services.

For a comprehensive list of our services providers and partners, refer to this page: https://www.listeninghouse.org/how

How does Listening House engage with the community?

As an organization, we attend the neighborhood council meetings and police meetings. There is not a table we won’t sit at or a conversation we won’t have. We invite and encourage members of the community to reach out to us for any questions or concerns.

Can I stop by for a quick visit?

Yes! We love to give tours of our current location to let people see who we are, what we do, and meet our guests. We encourage you to contact us to schedule your visit!

How can I engage and partner with Listening House?

There are several ways you can connect with us. We are currently hosting several community meetings (in-person and virtual) to discuss the transition as we get closer to our move to the new location - for more information, please reach out to elyse@listeninghouse.org.

You can also always stop by to meet our staff, guests and tour our space. 

We also encourage you to volunteer with us - it’s a great way to learn more about the unsheltered population while serving them! You may also get the chance to connect with some of our partners.

Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms to stay up to date with events and general updates.

Crisis Management

How does the staff respond to crisis situations?

Listening House has been around in St. Paul for nearly 40 years, we are highly skilled in crisis management and de-escalation. Our staff are experts and do this all day every day. They work for people to feel safe so they can lower the adrenaline and survival mode but also walk with them through it, give them the chance to calm down and address the root of the problem. Training and experience in this area are required to work at Listening House.

How does Listening House respond to illegal behavior?

Illegal behavior is illegal behavior and we don’t curb natural consequences. We welcome people under the influence. Sleep, food, and supervision are safer than being kicked back out on the street. We have zero tolerance for illegal drug use/dealing, and drinking on-site; we are not a safe use site and never will be. There are many people who take advantage of the unsheltered population, they know when people have money and they pounce. We know the cars, names, and faces and we keep them away. (We can be very annoying, we also work closely with SPPD and probation).

Several members of the community have recently reached out to us expressing their concerns regarding their own safety and others in their neighborhoods. We certainly understand their worries - no one should fear for their safety while walking their dog or be worried about their property getting vandalized. If you have any concerns or apprehensions about the organizations that are serving the unsheltered population in your neighborhood, we encourage you to connect with them and share your concerns. If you are in our service area, please remember that we are here to be a resource for you and every member of our community that could benefit from our services.

How do I respond to perceived threats when I encounter homeless individuals?

There are several negative attitudes, qualities, and behaviors that are often attributed to the homeless population (i.e. they are violent and/or engage in criminal behavior). The reality is that homeless individuals are more likely to be victims of crime. While it is understandable the negative emotions that seeing someone sleeping on the street can invoke, it is important to determine if those emotions are coming from a sense of discomfort or feeling unsafe. If you believe your concern is a matter of safety, not just feeling uncomfortable, we invite you to do what we do, inform the authorities.

Freedom House

Why did Freedom House close?

Our time at the firehouse on West Seventh was an 18 month plan. The City asked us to do what we do in the firehouse so they could work to clear the over 400 tents that had come to be with Covid-19. It was intended as an immediate and temporary response to the situation the community faced at the time. A few business owners sued us with only 5-6 months left on the project at the peak of cold weather. We were able to complete our 18 month commitment. The claims were difficult to prove and eventually dropped by the plaintiffs who are currently crowdfunding legal costs.

Why was the Police so visible?

Listening House hired off-duty SPPD officers for the safety of ours guests, to build relationships and for optics. Listening House staff made 911 calls for medical and mental health emergencies. With the frequency of external calls/complaints regarding the Freedom House site, we and our police partners took the time and opportunity to explain that poverty is not a crime, mental illness is not crime, addiction is not a crime. Just because you may feel uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean that there is something criminal afoot. All of us have or know people with these conditions but they have enough money to keep the maladaptive behaviors within their homes and cars. We appreciate the police officers and have always invited them to come in, get a cup of coffee, and check in with us.

Contact Us

Can I contact someone if I have more questions?

Of course! We’re available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. Here is how to get in touch with us:

Call us: 651-227-5911

Email us: frontdesk@listeninghouse.org