Washington County officials broke ground Nov. 12 on the county’s first permanent, short-term emergency housing shelter for homeless adults. The $12 million Emergency Housing Services Building will be located on the south end of the county’s government center campus in Stillwater.

In a release, the county stated it lags behind housing options for adults without children compared to other Minnesota counties. An average of 166 people in Washington County experience homelessness at any given time. Due to the lack of capacity, approximately 54 residents seek shelter in neighboring counties annually.

 It will be a two-story, 30,000-square-foot facility with 30 living units with private bathrooms, an onsite computer lab to aid job searches and workforce development, a commercial kitchen, dining area, storage space, and parking. Around-the-clock staffing will be provided. Professional services will help residents move toward stable housing.