Visionary affordable housing in Highland Bridge

CommonBond opens first of several developments in neighborhood 

On the heels of announcing the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by the organization, CommonBond Communities will celebrate the opening of The Lumin, a 60-unit affordable housing development in Highland Bridge for seniors 62 and older, along with the groundbreaking of a second project in the neighborhood.  

A grand opening celebration will be on Thursday, September 19.  

“Minnesota seniors face a shortage of stable, affordable housing options,” said Deidre Schmidt, CommonBond president and CEO. “In this building, older residents will find opportunities, support, and community. They will find a home.” 

The Lumin is CommonBond’s first project in Highland Bridge; the second is expected to begin construction later this year. The organization has plans for a total of five projects in the neighborhood. The second site, called Harken, will be open to seniors 55 and older, with the majority of units set aside for households whose median income is 30 percent of the metropolitan area’s median income or less.  

All residents will have access to CommonBond’s Advantage Services, which help residents access community-based resources and support basic needs. At The Lumin this includes health and wellness resources, community-building events, a food pantry shelf, access to social services, and more. Specialized services will be available to residents of the seven units reserved for seniors who have previously experienced homelessness. Learn more about our work: commonbond.org/advantage-services.

“Many residents are coming from difficult living situations far removed from basic services,” said Schmidt. “The Lumin gives them easy access to mass transit, a health clinic, a grocery store, and parks where they can enjoy the outdoors. All of this supports better health outcomes and can combat isolation that often impacts the health and longevity of seniors.”  

The Lumin was built to the sustainable building standards of the state and city and includes a solar array to offset common area electrical costs. The project was supported by a $5 million Tax Increment Financing loan with the City of Saint Paul, a $4.5 million investment from Ramsey County, and an award for project-based vouchers from the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency. Earlier this month, CommonBond publicly announced a capital campaign to raise $65 million to enhance and build affordable homes like The Lumin across the Midwest.   

Construction on The Lumin began in October 2022, a challenging time for real estate developers. “We learned a lot through this process,” said Schmidt. “Thanks to our partners and donors, we never stopped moving this project forward. The result is a valuable asset for the neighborhood and for the future of Saint Paul.”  

The Lumin is a prime example of what can be accomplished together and was supported in part by CommonBond’s recently announced “Framing the Future” campaign. The campaign seeks to raise $65 million to support the organization’s mission. Schmidt announced in early September that $57 million has already been raised toward the goal. The remaining portion is critical for CommonBond’s ability to enhance and deliver Advantage Services, invest in and build more housing, and advocate for changes in the larger systems in which we work.  

The community is invited to get involved at commonbond.org/future.