FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jim Bettendorf, Director of Housing Development and Management
Volunteers of America of Minnesota
(763) 225-4007
jbettendorf@voamn.org

Volunteers of America of Minnesota & Volunteers of America National Housing Services Announces Award of a $2.4 Million HUD Grant to Increase Affordable Assisted Living Apartments

New Hope Senior Affordable Housing to Undergo Comprehensive Renovation

(Minneapolis, Minn. — November 12) — Volunteers of America has been awarded $2,430,264 in a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assisted Living Conversion Grant.  The grant will allow for the renovation of 20 existing elderly units to provide assisted living services to the residents of North Park Plaza, 8201 45th Avenue North, New Hope, Minnesota. The grant is one of eight projects selected nationwide.

North Park Plaza includes 105-units of one apartments providing housing for over 100 elderly individuals and families.  This is the second conversion project in the building, with ten units being converted and opened in 2005 with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The property is sponsored by Volunteers of America National Housing Services and is managed by Volunteers of America of Minnesota.  Assisted Living Services and Congregate Dining Services are also provided by Volunteers of America of Minnesota.

"Volunteers of America is proud to be a partner with HUD in the growth of services we are able to provide to senior clients at North Park Plaza," said Jim Bettendorf, Director of Housing Development and Management for Volunteers of America of Minnesota.  "This grant will allow us to improve the physical environment to expand the provision of health care services to more residents of this vital subsidized housing community, allowing residents to remain in their homes and receive the services they desire to retain an appropriate level of independence." The Project is expected to start in April of 2007 and be completed by mid-2008.

About Volunteers of America of Minnesota

Volunteers of America of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization founded in 1896 which offers a wide variety of services to more than 33,000 children, adolescents and their families, older adults, students, persons with disabilities and special needs, and ex-offenders each year.  It is one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive human service organizations in the state and has more than 60 programs, 700 employees and 4,000 volunteers.  Volunteers of America has a rich history of developing innovative, quality programs to meet emerging social issues and prides itself on sponsoring programs which are able to articulate explicitly the outcomes achieved in its program participants' lives.  For more information about Volunteers of America of Minnesota, visit www.voamn.org, or call (763) 546-3242. 

About Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through thousands of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities.  Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart-and ultimately the spirit-of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. For more information about Volunteers of America, visit www.VolunteersofAmerica.org.

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