Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities expands men’s campus

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities expands men’s campus
By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | November 2025

Come late next year, another 70 men experiencing homelessness will be able to take refuge overnight at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities men’s campus at 435 University Ave. E. The nonprofit recently broke ground on a yearlong renovation of the campus, which entails expanding its dorm areas to fit 210 beds, expanding its lobby-lounge area and doubling the dining hall to comfortably seat 200. The upgrade is much needed, as the 45-year-old facility has been at maximum or near-maximum capacity for about two years and there are no signs of the need slowing.

“We’ve always had 52 cots in the chapel full every night,” said Sarah Peterka, the mission’s community relations director. “We’ve been using that as kind of overflow space, but that’s not what it’s intended for…. The additional beds we’re getting will make it so we don’t need to have cots in our chapel anymore, which is great. The number of meals we’ve been serving has increased for at least the last two years,” she added. “We had some meals where we were serving up to 300 people, so we have been desperately in need of expanding that dining hall space.”

The renovation also includes upgrades to the entryway, bathrooms and laundry facilities, as well as creating a secure patio area for guests and residents. In addition to the men’s campus, the mission operates the Naomi Family Program in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, serving unsheltered women, and the Child Development Center at 109 9th St. E. in downtown. It also works closely with the city to help people experiencing homelessness.

“I think the city is doing a good job with the homeless assistance response team (HART),” said Peterka. “Our chaplains are part of the HART team as well, so we have a couple of them who will go out to the encampments and talk to folks and encourage them to come into our program. If we’re not the right fit for them, there are additional shelters in St. Paul too.”

The men’s campus usually sees an influx when homeless encampments (tent cities) are shut down. The first phase of construction is focused on getting the dorms completed. Currently, 114 bunk beds and cots are in the chapel space and will remain until the dorms are finished.

Aside from offering hot meals and showers, beds and season-appropriate clothing such as hats, boots and gloves, the mission provides a wide array of services to help people get on their feet, including connections to social workers and mental health workers, and providing resources regarding education, employment and faith formation. For more information on the nonprofit, which dates to 1902, visit ugmtc.org.