Case Study: Building Housing for Veterans – Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota & GAP School
Building Homes, Changing Lives
In partnership with Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN), GAP School, and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), this project is constructing housing for veterans experiencing homelessness in St. Paul.
Key Partnerships:
MACV: Provided vision and partnership to address veterans' housing needs.
3M, Pella, LP Smartside: Donated materials, training, and discounts to support construction.
Saint Paul College and Unions: Offered workforce development support and hands-on training.
Process and Outcomes:
Built 10 ADA-compliant apartments and additional facilities including a meeting room, gym, and MACV offices.
Provided hands-on construction training for youth and young adults, preparing them for careers in carpentry and construction.
Engaged students in meaningful projects, instilling pride and purpose in contributing to veterans’ housing.
Lessons Learned:
Clear Role Definition: Separate project management and instruction roles to ensure efficiency.
Community Buy-In: Build strong partnerships with unions, businesses, and local government.
Invest in Equipment: Tools like trucks and trailers are vital for program success.
Flexible Scheduling: Anticipate delays and adapt plans to keep projects on track.
Student Voices:
“I’m learning valuable job skills and building something that makes a difference.” – Genesis Lopez, 20
“The construction industry needs more diversity, and this program helps open those doors.” – Jeannie, GESMN Graduate
The project consists of two buildings. The first will have 10, one-bedroom apartments for low-income veterans, and veterans experiencing homelessness. Each unit has its own restroom. Each first-floor apartment is ADA compliant. The building next door will have a washer, dryer, exercise area, meeting room and MACV offices. The goal is for veterans to move to more permanent housing eventually but there is no required timetable for this. The project is unusual because young people are constructing two buildings next to each other.
What background/work experience prepared you to teach/run this program? Sean Hart: Sean serves as project manager/career navigator for GESMN. He has done construction his whole life. He helped build houses from ground up with my father. Sean has been working in construction or as sales manager for 20 years. His father was a carpenter/teacher for 5 years; Sean has a MBA in construction management. He also is also qualified licensed contractor in Minnesota. Becky Brink Ray: Becky serves as Workforce Development Director for GESM’s Career and Training and Education programs. Her whole career has been in workforce development. She has worked for 17 years with GWES. Before that she worked for another non-profit. She develops sector training programs around employers’ needs. She earned a BA in Counseling and a MA in business.
This building above will house 10, one-bedroom apartments, 5 on each floor.
What are examples of partnerships that have make this project possible? Many different groups involved. The project began when the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) connected with the local carpenters’ union. Together they brought in a number of other groups.
Inside the building that will house 10 apartments, as of late November, 2023.
Tony Zahradke: Tony is the construction teacher at GAP School in St Paul. He has taught for 20 years in St Paul with at-risk and immigrant youth. Worked both in St Paul Public Schools and at GAP (a contract alternative school). Tony also spent five years working in construction – working during college and for two years after college. He noted that GWES/MN is leading this project (Please also see GAP case study. GAP has completed several homes, including one on a lot near the school that will house three additional homes).