Avenues for Youth (“Avenues”) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth experiencing homelessness through shelter, housing, and comprehensive support services. With a strong focus on youth who identify as BIPOC and LGBTQI+, Avenues provides stable housing, trauma-informed care, education support, workforce development, and leadership opportunities to help young people transition to stable, independent lives.

Avenues is using NMTC financing to develop a 37,000 sq. ft. housing and headquarters facility in Minneapolis to provide essential services for homeless youth, focusing on BIPOC and LGBTQI+ communities. Black youth represent 35% of Minnesota’s homeless youth population despite making up only 9% of the state’s total population, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support.

The new center will include a 20-bed shelter, three emergency overnight beds, and eight "first step" apartments for youth transitioning to independent living. Supporting these housing options, the facility will offer education, job training, mental health services, and administrative support—all delivered through trauma-informed practices to create a safe and nurturing environment.

Services Provided by Classic Lake:

• New Markets Tax Credit Advisory

Community and Economic Impacts

• 100 construction jobs

• 7 new full-time jobs and 28 retained jobs

• Provides services to over 300 homeless youth annually (86% Minority, 60% Women/Girls, 42% LGBTQI+)

• Provides 7,300 shelter/transitional housing bed nights annually