Catholic Charities to build additional 51 units downtown for homeless

Construction on another housing complex for chronically homeless people in Spokane will begin soon, according to permits issued by the city.

Called Father Bach Haven Five, the project by Catholic Charities will add 51 units to the east end of downtown Spokane near the organization’s House of Charity homeless shelter.

The building at 9 E. First Ave. marks the eighth such development by Catholic Charities to help homeless people. The new structure will receive $9.8 million in tax-credit equity. Permits have been issued for $4.2 million in work, but the project is expected to cost $12 million.

The religious organization began construction on Father Bach Haven Four, 164 S. State St., last year.

The first of these housing complexes for the homeless, the $6.8 million Father Bach Haven, opened in 2012. The projects that have followed it have been modeled on its design, which was done by Spokane’s Heylman Martin Architects.

With a goal of ending chronic homelessness in Spokane, Catholic Charities has pushed ahead with its long-term plan to build up to 800 units of permanent housing for chronically homeless people despite some opposition. Last year, after anonymous flyers spread lies about the projects, the organization’s boss, Rob McCann, said he would “never, ever apologize for the work of serving the poor.”

Regardless, business owners in the area around the House of Charity and the numerous new Catholic Charities buildings have reported an increase in crime and said they feel pressure to not speak against the developments.

With Father Bach Haven Five, Catholic Charities is building its most prominent structure yet because of its location on Division Street between Sprague Avenue and First.