Our Saviour's Housing Renovation & Expansion

Oak Knoll’s ministry partner Our Saviour’s Housing is a community of hope for those who need a home. Their Emergency Shelter serves homeless adults who are in immediate need of a safe place to sleep and access resources - the first step in transitioning from homelessness to home.

In late 2023, Our Saviour’s Community Services was awarded a capital grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to renovate and expand their Emergency Shelter. With these funds, they have created safer, more accessible spaces and added a second story to the building so that they could extend their service model from 21 to 38 guests.

The most significant features of the renovation include the addition of 17 new bedrooms, a communal gathering space for guests, additional offices for staff, and an expansion to the dining area. Additionally, the renovation made the space more accessible by replacing the aging elevator and widening hallways, and increasing the number of restrooms that include a toilet, sink, and roll-in shower.

As construction was completed, Our Saviour’s joined together with guests, staff, and volunteers for a re-opening celebration at their 2219 Chicago Avenue building on July 17th, 2025. This was an opportunity for community members to celebrate all the work that went into these plans and renovations, learn more about what has changed, and hear some of what is next for their shelter program.

As of November, 2025, the renovated Emergency Shelter is now at full capacity, and Our Saviour’s has welcomed several new team members who have helped us extend services to our growing community. They extend a big thank you to all the staff, volunteers, donors, and advocates who helped us reach this milestone.

For more information on Our Saviour’s Housing and volunteer opportunities, please visit oscs-mn.org or reach out to volunteer@oscs-mn.org.