What Simpson Housing Services does

Simpson Housing Services is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that provides emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, and wraparound supportive services to individuals, families, and youth experiencing homelessness across Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, and Carver counties in Minnesota. Its core programmatic portfolio includes the Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments (70 beds plus 42 units of permanent supportive housing), the Adult Shelter Connect coordinated entry system operated under contract with Hennepin County, the Family & Youth Housing program with sites including Passage Community, Dale Street Place, and Belfry Apartments, the 66 West youth housing development operated in partnership with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, and a Children & Youth Services suite spanning Early Childhood Home Visiting, Passage Tutoring, Youth Group Mentoring, and Summer Scholars.

The organization reports annual outcomes including moving more than 1,454 people into stable housing and providing shelter beds to 1,111 men and women in a single recent year, while supporting 289 families (including 649 children) in its Family Housing Program. Simpson's business model is donation- and grant-dependent rather than commercial: revenue is generated through individual and corporate philanthropy (Art 4 Shelter, Music 4 Shelter, Give to the Max Day), federal, state, and county government grants and contracts (notably Hennepin County), and foundation support. Major disclosed funding milestones include a $2.5M Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant in 2018, a $2.5M federal congressionally directed appropriation in 2023, and a $45M Homestretch capital campaign funding the new shelter facility that broke ground in June 2024.

Operationally, Simpson takes a strengths-based, Housing First approach and emphasizes anti-racism initiatives, a relationship-driven service model, and the integration of children's programming alongside adult housing services. The organization is governed by a 19-member board that includes individuals with lived experience of homelessness, and is currently navigating an executive director transition from Steve Horsfield (12+ year tenure) to Tonya Brownlow effective September 15, 2026.

Name

Simpson Housing Services

Legal name

Simpson Housing Services

Website

https://simpsonhousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simpson Housing Services is a Minneapolis 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and family/youth programs to people experiencing homelessness across four Minnesota counties, operating a 70-bed shelter, a coordinated entry hotline, and a $45M capital expansion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Supportive Housing

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Supportive housing programs
• Homeless services nonprofit
• Family housing assistance
• Youth transitional housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Fundraising campaigns include Give to the Max Day, Art 4 Shelter, Music 4 Shelter, and direct donation pages. Donations are solicited through the website, email newsletters, events, and volunteer engagement.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Simpson receives federal, state, and county funding including Hennepin County contracts for shelter operations and federal grants for construction projects.
3. Bezos Day 1 Families Fund Grant: Received $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to expand Family Housing Program over four years.
4. Federal Construction Funding: Received $2.5 million in federal, congressionally directed funding for new shelter construction.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Simpson Housing Services operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities. Core offerings include the Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments (70 beds and 42 units of permanent supportive housing), Adult Shelter Connect (coordinated entry/intake for single adults in Hennepin County), Single Adults programs (Women's Housing Partnership; Opportunity Housing Partnership), Family & Youth Housing, Youth Parent Program, 66 West (youth housing), and Children & Youth Services such as Early Childhood Home Visiting, Passage Tutoring, Youth Group Mentoring, and Summer Scholars. All services are delivered free of charge to participants and are funded through donations, foundation grants, and government contracts.

Product overview

Simpson Housing Services offers a comprehensive portfolio of homeless services across shelter, supportive housing, and youth/family programs. Core offerings include emergency shelter (Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments with 70 beds), Adult Shelter Connect for coordinated entry, housing partnerships for single adults (Women's Housing Partnership, Opportunity Housing Partnership), and Family & Youth Housing programs. Children & Youth Services include Early Childhood Home Visiting, Passage Tutoring, Youth Group Mentoring, and Summer Scholars. The organization also operates volunteer engagement programs like Cook & Connect and fundraising events including Art 4 Shelter and Music 4 Shelter. All programs are designed to move individuals and families from homelessness to stable housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments: New modern shelter and affordable housing facility under construction at original site
• Adult Shelter Connect (ASC)
• Passage Community
• Women's Housing Partnership
• Opportunity Housing Partnership

Products and services

• Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments Modern emergency shelter with 70 low-barrier beds and 42 units of permanent supportive housing, providing short-term shelter, supportive housing, comprehensive case management, commercial kitchen/dining, healthcare office, laundry, and gender-specific sleeping areas for people experiencing homelessness.
• Adult Shelter Connect Coordinated entry and shelter referral service for single adults experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County, providing connections to shelter resources and case management through the Adult Shelter Connect phone hotline operated on behalf of the Single Adult Shelter Collaborative.
• Single Adults Housing (Women's Housing Partnership; Opportunity Housing Partnership) Supportive housing programs for single adults facing long-term homelessness, including Women's Housing Partnership and Opportunity Housing Partnership offering intensive case management, relationship-based support services, and collaboration with Aeon and Avivo in two housing communities in downtown Minneapolis.
• Family & Youth Housing Intensive case management and subsidized rental housing for families experiencing homelessness, including Passage Community (17 families), Dale Street Place (St. Paul), and Belfry Apartments (Minneapolis). Focus on life skills, education, employment, and family stability.
• 66 West Youth Housing Permanent supportive housing for 39 youth ages 16-24 transitioning out of homelessness, at 66 West in Edina, in partnership with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. Beacon owns the building; Simpson provides support services.
• Youth Parent Program Permanent supportive housing for parenting youth ages 18-24 with young children ages 0-5, in site-based and scattered-site housing across Hennepin County, with goal-setting support around education, employment, and child development.
• Early Childhood Home Visiting Evidence-based support for families with children ages 0-5 in Simpson's housing programs, focusing on developmental growth, parental engagement in literacy, and kindergarten readiness.
• Passage Tutoring Literacy tutoring and educational support for children grades K-6 in families experiencing homelessness, with goals of improved academic performance, attendance, and self-efficacy.
• Youth Group Mentoring Group mentoring for grades 5-8 supporting learning, exploration, and leadership development through community-based activities for youth in families experiencing homelessness.
• Summer Scholars Four-day multi-age culturally responsive learning day camp for children in Simpson's housing programs, focusing on literacy, skills-based activities, and learning through play.
• Extended-Stay Shelter Extended-stay emergency shelter program operated by Simpson Housing Services for people experiencing homelessness.

Quantifiable outcome

• Moved more than 1,454 people into safe, stable housing in a single year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Project for Pride in LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2020Property developer for new shelter construction at 2740 1st Ave. S. Will manage the 42 efficiency units of permanent supportive housing on the fourth and fifth floors of the new shelter building.
• Beacon Interfaith Housing CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2017Partnership at 66 West housing development in Edina. Beacon owns the building and is responsible for operations while Simpson provides support services for 39 youth ages 16-24 transitioning out of homelessness. This is a flagship youth housing partnership.
• AeoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Simpson, Aeon, and Avivo to provide increased supportive services in two housing communities in downtown Minneapolis. Properties offer efficiency apartments for long-term homeless individuals.
• AvivocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Simpson, Aeon, and Avivo to provide increased supportive services in two housing communities in downtown Minneapolis. Residents are connected to ongoing case management and opportunities for community engagement.
• Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health DepartmentcoreOthersPrimary funder of Adult Shelter Connect operations. ASC operates on behalf of the Single Adult Shelter Collaborative, which is made up of agencies providing shelter to single individuals over age 18 in Hennepin County.
• Bright Horizons Foundation for ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBright Space program creates warm, safe spaces for children to play. Partnership has created child-friendly spaces at Simpson program areas including the playground at Passage Community.
• Landscape StructuresminorOthersVendor partnered with Bright Horizons Foundation to help fund the playground at Passage Community. Collaborated on design with Jill King and Simpson staff.
• Our KitchenminorOthersLocal Minneapolis restaurant that has hosted free Christmas breakfast for Simpson shelter guests for 12 years. Owner Danny Ziegler and wife Oksana provide home-cooked meals to approximately 70 guests annually.
• Patisserie 46minorOthersMinneapolis business that provides pastries and treats for the annual Christmas breakfast hosted by Our Kitchen for Simpson shelter guests.
• Bridgewater BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor supporting Simpson, noted for deep roots in Minneapolis and correlation in how they view relationships with community members.
• Morrie's Brooklyn Park SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShare the Love partnership raising over $17,400 for Simpson's shelter and housing programs.
• Cargill Cares CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored a family picnic for families in Simpson's Family Housing Program and staff at Minnehaha Park.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative: Minneapolis-area housing nonprofit that owns the 66 West youth housing building and partners with Simpson to deliver support services to 39 transition-age youth. Direct peer operating in the same supportive housing space in the Twin Cities.
• Project for Pride in Living: Minneapolis-based affordable housing and workforce development nonprofit that is also Simpson's developer partner for the new shelter and manages 42 units of permanent supportive housing there. Operates complementary housing programs for low-income households.
• Aeon: Minneapolis affordable housing nonprofit that co-operates supportive housing communities with Simpson and Avivo for individuals experiencing long-term homelessness. Direct peer with overlapping supportive housing portfolio and Twin Cities footprint.
• People Serving People: Minneapolis-based emergency shelter and family services nonprofit that is the largest emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. Direct peer serving the same Hennepin County family-shelter population with comparable mission and funding base.
• Our Saviour's Housing: Minneapolis nonprofit operating an emergency shelter and supportive housing programs for adults experiencing homelessness. Direct peer with overlapping shelter operations, case management model, and Hennepin County funding relationships.
• Avivo: Minneapolis nonprofit providing employment, chemical and mental health, and supportive housing services, and a Simpson partner in supportive housing operations. Direct peer with overlapping supportive services and housing case management functions.
• Families Moving Forward: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter and housing stabilization services to families with children experiencing homelessness. Direct peer operating in the same Twin Cities family-homelessness segment with similar Housing First approach.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis: Large regional social services nonprofit providing housing, shelter, food, and case management across the Twin Cities. Broader incumbent with overlapping housing programs but a much wider service portfolio than Simpson.
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Statewide social services nonprofit offering housing, refugee services, youth programs, and disability services in Minnesota. Broader incumbent with overlapping youth housing and supportive housing programs.

Others

• Heading Home Hennepin: Multi-organization collaborative initiative to end homelessness in Hennepin County, of which Simpson and many of its peers are participants. Operates the coordinated entry system that feeds referrals to Simpson's Adult Shelter Connect.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• Facebookfacebook.com/simpsonhousing
• Instagraminstagram.com/simpson_housing

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simpson Housing Services