White Earth Band to purchase Ridgeway Court Apartments in Bemidji, Minn., to help address homelessness and addiction

White Earth, Minn. —The White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe proudly announces that it will soon close its purchase of the Ridgeway Court apartments in Bemidji, Minn. The White Earth Band envisions the Ridgeway Court property as its future sober- living community. The White Earth Band intends to renovate the buildings to better provide needed re-entry and supportive services for its Band members and other eligible clients. White Earth Band’s acquisition of the Ridgeway Court property aligns with its ongoing work to address homelessness and addiction through its Behavioral Health and Human Services divisions.

The White Earth Band is aware that the Ridgeway Court apartments were one of the few low-income housing opportunities in the Bemidji area and that the current tenants have long suffered from distressed facilities. The White Earth Band intends to allow current lawful tenants to continue to occupy their units for up to 180 days after closing. The White Earth Band will immediately secure the buildings to protect against extreme weather and unauthorized entry by non-tenants. The Band will do its best to ensure current lawful tenants are connected to the services they need to obtain alternate housing.

The White Earth Band is excited to embark on this next chapter in its support for Band members that desperately need supportive services to successfully re-enter the workforce and society at large. The White Earth Band desires to build great working relationships with the City of Bemidji, Beltrami County, and other non-governmental organizations to address the issues the Ridgeway Court apartments presented. The White Earth Band seeks to be a strong partner in the area to ensure that no person is left behind.

White Earth Reservation is located in Becker, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties in north-central Minnesota. Created in 1867 by a treaty between the United States and the Mississippi Band of Chippewa Indians, it is one of seven Chippewa reservations in Minnesota.

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