Emma Norton Residence

Located in the resource-rich area of downtown St. Paul, Emma Norton Residence provides permanent group residential housing for up to 50 women and individuals who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless and managing mental illness and/or chemical dependency.

Meeting people where they are

Once a resident is settled on the solid ground of permanent housing, staff work one-on-one with them to develop stability plans that reflect the individual’s needs and goals. The team then walks with residents on their journey, helping them seek education; get care for mental illness and chemical dependency;  maintain stable housing; and expunge criminal charges or unlawful detainers. Emma Norton Residence utilizes harm-reduction policies, providing the same level of care to all without judgment, regardless of where they are on their journey. There are staff available 24/7 to provide residents with day-to-day service and care, as well as to assist and support residents in crisis.

In addition to case managers on-site, residents at ENR also have easy access to Peer Support Specialists who work in the offices at Emma Norton Residence. The executive, advancement, and finance staff also all work from the offices at Emma Norton Residence. This is a part of the commitment to democracy; our leaders are immediately accountable to the people we serve. In spring of this year we will be moving this program to our new building, Restoring Waters, in the new Highland Bridge development, which will also serve as the new office headquarters.

• Can I move into Emma Norton Residence?

  No, as we are no longer taking new residents at this building. We are in the process of moving all current residents to private apartments or to our new facility, Restoring Waters. After this process is complete, this building will be decommissioned.

• Why do you say “women and individuals?”

  While Emma Norton Residence is structured for and primarily houses women, it is also home to several non-binary people, for whom there are very few resources for permanent supportive housing.

• Will I be kicked out of the program for using?

  While residents are not allowed to actively use on site, there is no sobriety requirement to live at Emma Norton Residence. Residents are all on individual journeys related to their sobriety.

• What does an average day in the life of a resident look like?

  What an average day looks like is unique to each resident. We believe that choice and autonomy are essential to growing independence and self-worth, so we offer abundant resources and services, but do not require that residents participate. Residents often work with their Case Managers and Peer Support Specialists to set their own goals for their time at Emma Norton.