Editorial: Riverfront deal is doubly divine

There’s a lot to like about the transactions by which the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary will sell its 67 acres along the Spokane River, east of the T.J. Meenach Bridge.

For starters, 31 acres, including the entire river frontage, would remain undeveloped if the Spokane County Conservation Futures program agrees to purchase that prime real estate for $4 million. The futures originated in 1994, and is funded with a small property tax that has been reaffirmed by voters over the years.

The county has used the program to set aside more than 30 properties covering about 7,600 acres. The convent acreage would be the 14th purchase within the Spokane city limits. In or out of the city, the parcel’s quality is consistent with the program’s promise of maintaining the area’s quality of life by preserving its natural beauty.

The Sisters’ land would add to other Conservation Futures acquisitions along the river, including a small parcel near Downriver Golf Course and 1.5 miles of unspoiled shoreline at Long Lake.

Catholic Charities Spokane is buying the remaining 36 acres from the Sisters to further its goals of expanding low-income housing and reducing the number of foster children.

The area is already zoned for high-density development, but the charity wants to add only 382 new dwelling units. More would be created by modifying the existing buildings, but the total would be far short of the permissible 1,000. Empire Health Foundation is a partner in the plan to reduce by one-half — to 500 — the number of children in foster homes in Eastern Washington.

The reduction would be a great relief to the the state, which is under pressure from the courts to expand foster children placements. The state has about 1,000 fewer foster homes than it had in 2007.

One worthwhile solution, which Catholic Charities and Empire Health are pursuing, is to keep more families together. And a big part of that challenge is finding them a home.

The “housing first” philosophy is fresh thinking that has gained supporters across the country. Social service advocates for the homeless and struggling families are finding that a secure home can provide the stability that helps them address other issues, such as substance abuse and mental illness.

The traditional practice is to demand people be clean and sober before giving them housing. That pushes them back to the streets, and exacerbates the problems associated with homelessness.

Catholic Charities plans to use the convent property as transitional housing that would keep families together, rather than removing the children and putting them in foster homes, where many struggle. From the stability of a home, parents can work on their problems, and families can remain intact.

This social service mission matches the values of the nuns, making Catholic Charities a natural choice to take over the property. The preservation of riverfront property makes the transaction even more divine.

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