Consolidating Services, Improving Impact

Written By Listening House

Saint Paul’s Homeless Providers Announce Plan To Consolidate Services Day Shelter Freedom House To Close May 8

As Saint Paul’s homeless day shelter Freedom House closes Sunday, May 8, Listening House announces plans to redirect and consolidate services. 

“Our number one priority is to ensure continuity of services for Saint Paul,” says Molly Jalma Executive, Director of Listening House, the nonprofit organization that operated Freedom House. As area emergency shelters close during the day, day shelters provide comfort, security, basic needs, and practical resources for people in deep poverty to manage their everyday lives and bridge out of homelessness. Giving people purpose and a daily destination also prevents public health and safety issues that come anytime residents don’t have places to go or things to do. 

Freedom House was an 18-month collaboration between Ramsey County, the City of St. Paul, the St. Paul Fire Department, St. Paul City Council, and Listening House. The project was a practical response as pandemic closures and public health guidelines pushed homelessness and the issues of deep poverty to the forefront of downtown. Funding was provided through the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

As Saint Paul ends its COVID-19 state of emergency, homelessness continues to impact the city. On average, Freedom House provided essential life services for 200+ people daily. The closure creates a gap homeless agencies are working to fill as public funding and capacity constricts. 

“Listening House is working with guests, letting them know where and how to access services at our other site location on Maria Avenue inside First Lutheran Church in Dayton’s Bluff,” says Jalma. Work with other homeless service providers is also being done to absorb the need and redirect homeless residents. Current work focuses on increasing the collaboration of resources 

among providers and communication with homeless communities. However, Jalma knows Saint Paul needs a more permanent, sustainable solution. 

“To be an effective, prosperous Saint Paul, Listening House must rise to the challenge of meeting the needs of those experiencing deep poverty,” says Jalma. “We continue to be grateful for all of our public and private partners who support us through this transition and who remain committed to creating positive, long-term solutions for our city and all of its residents.” 

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Listening House is St. Paul’s nonprofit day shelter that provides comfort, security, basic needs, and practical resources for people in deep poverty to manage their everyday lives and bridge out of homelessness. With a listening ear and radical hospitality that gives people purpose and a daily destination, Listening House is a connection hub and lifeline for 200+ people daily. Guests are welcome Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Saint Paul’s Homeless Service Providers 

  • Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis Safe Zone 

  • Radius Health 

  • People Inc 

  • Model Cities 

Other St. Paul Public Partners 

  • Saint Paul Public Library 

  • Metro Transit Homeless Action Team 

  • Police Saint Paul Minnesota 

  • Fire and Emergency Medical Services Saint Paul Minnesota Department of Safety and Inspections Saint Paul Minnesota Daily Work 

  • Eastside Health and Well-Being Collaborative Clinic 555 

  • Minnesota Community Care 

  • Involve Minnesota 

  • Focus Minnesota 

  • Minnesota Central Kitchen

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