Hibbing Homeless Shelter
The new building for the Hibbing Shelter will be centrally located to better serve more people. The shelter will be opened in phases which will allow AEOA to provide shelter to residents as soon as possible during renovations.
On any given night in the United States, 580,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness, and 7,917 of those individuals are Minnesotans. In St. Louis County, there has been a 37% increase in the unsheltered population since 2007. For many people and families, domestic violence is the primary cause of their homelessness, and children make up 20% of those individuals that are homeless. In Minnesota, the average winter temperature is 15 F, with low temperatures reaching all the way down to -60 F. For someone experiencing homelessness, these temperatures threaten frostbite, hypothermia, or even death.
Over the last three years, AEOA has provided emergency shelter to over 503 individuals. To provide these much-needed supportive services, AEOA owns and operates Bill’s House and the Youth Foyer in Virginia. In 2019, AEOA started renting rooms as a warming shelter from the Rodeway in Hibbing. This has grown over time, and now 18 rooms are continuously rented. Since the additional rooms have been added, AEOA has increased its capacity from serving 99 individuals in 2019 to serving 235 individuals last year. Unfortunately, AEOA was still forced to turn away 3,364 individuals since 2019.
When residents stay at AEOA’s shelters, they are provided many services and resources to support them in the best way possible that will provide them with opportunities to become self-sufficient. In the last three years, 63% of residents have become successfully housed after receiving supportive services at the shelter.
AEOA believes that this will be an investment in the community, as this new building will be able to provide supportive services to community members, including veterans and families that are escaping domestic violence.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the shelter, please fill out the form below. Submissions will be reviewed, and if appropriate, a response will be added to our FAQ list.
Even the smallest donation can make a significant difference for someone in need. We are accepting monetary donations online, in person, or by mail. We are also accepting new or like new items that can be dropped off at our Virginia or Hibbing Office.
Mail your monetary donation:
AEOA
Attn: Hibbing Shelter
702 3rd Ave S
Virginia, MN 55792
Accepted Items
Hygiene Products
- Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Floss, Toilet Paper, Feminine Hygiene Products, Sunscreen
Baby Items
- Baby Diapers, Pull-Ups, Wipes, Formula
- Pack and Play
- Car Seats (Cannot be expired - no more than 5 years old)
Bedding
- Sheets, Blankets, Pillows
Clothing (Adults, Children, and Babies)
- Shirts, Pants, Socks, Hats, Jackets, Gloves, Boots, Shoes, Rain Gear
Non-Perishable Food
- Pasta, Rice, Cereal, Granola Bars, Canned Fruit/Vegetables, Nuts, Canned Meat/Fish (Chicken, Tuna), Coffee, Dried Beans
Dropoff Locations:
AEOA
702 3rd Ave South
Virginia, MN 55792
Hibbing Shelter
2313 3rd Ave E
Hibbing, MN 55746
- Calvin is a single male who was residing at Bill’s House (a shelter in Virginia). He left the shelter and went out of state. He later came back and had a warrant for his arrest. Shelter staff were able to support him to work with a public defender who worked with him in getting the warrant quashed. Calvin engaged with shelter staff at Bill’s House daily. Through our HSASMI grant, our staff connected him with substance use and mental health services as well as legal assistance which led to him winning an appeal at the HRA for housing. He now has stable housing, has his drivers license, and has re-engaged with his family. Calvin is thriving.
- Kari and her small son came to our shelter via Safe Haven shelter in Duluth. Despite the challenges she worked hard at finding housing with her Section 8 voucher. With the help of her Housing Case Manager, she found a unit for her and her son. AEOA was able to help her pay the security deposit on her unit. While in her new place, she went to school and graduated, gained full custody of her daughter, and also found a job in the field of her degree. She and her children have just bought a house!
- Jessica is a single female who was residing at the Hibbing Shelter. Staff assisted Jessica to set up goals and complete applications for SNAP, General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and housing. Budgeting was a priority for Jessica, so she would have funding to cover move-in costs. Jessica was approved for a 1-bedroom apartment with the Hibbing HRA. Emergency Assistance was enough to cover the move-in costs through the HRA, and they also donated a bed to Jessica. Jessica stated that having resources available and the help to get things sent in was great for her. Jessica also said that having somewhere consistent to be and not worrying about where she will sleep the next night was one of the main things that made her successful. Staff will help her complete the furniture program and Comforts of Home through United Way when she is ready at her new apartment.
Disclaimer: Names have been changed to protect the privacy of residents.
