MN churches try tiny home solution to solve homeless crisis

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Maple Grove church is planning to add 12 tiny homes to its property for people experiencing homeless, but is facing pushback from neighbors.

Maple Grove’s Church of the Open Door plans tiny village

What we know:

The Church of the Open Door is hoping that by the summer of 2026, 12 tiny homes will be ready for occupancy on the grounds of their Maple Grove campus.

Eight would house people considered chronically homeless, while the other four would house volunteers, who the church calls "intentional neighbors."

The church says residents will be screened and no one with a history of violent or sexual offenses will be allowed.

In a statement to FOX 9, associate pastor Rose Larson writes "as we work on designing a Sacred Settlement at Open Door, we are engaging and inviting conversations with our city, neighbors, local ministries and faith communities to create a beautiful, safe and peaceful community."

Two Twin Cities churches already have tiny homes

The backstory:

Prince of Peace Lutheran in Roseville began their tiny home village in the summer of 2022, gaining approval from the city to house two people.  A third tiny home was added for a volunteer to serve as the "intentional neighbor."

Mosaic Christian Community Church in St. Paul also has a small number of tiny homes on their property.

"I’m hoping to inspire others and other communities to do this very thing," said Pastor Peter Christ from Prince of Peace.  "Because we need more churches. There’s only so many tiny houses we can put on our property."

"My hope is that people would step back and say here’s a great opportunity to do something deeply impactful."

State law allows church-based tiny villages

Dig deeper:

The state law allowing churches to host micro houses took effect in 2024 and does spell out requirements for safety and security, including that at least a third of the homes be occupied by the volunteers who help oversee the community.

Pushback from neighbors

The other side:

A group called "No Settlement Maple Grove" is actively opposing the planned tiny village at Church of the Open Door.  With several hundred homes next door, they worry about safety and security.

"One of our primary concerns is that this will not be a sober community, despite the presence of schools on the property," the group told FOX 9 in a written statement.  "Individuals struggling with addiction deserve access to professional support, yet there will be no on-site professional services available."