St. Paul, Ramsey County withdraw plans to house ‘Familiar Faces’ of the homeless on Marshall Avenue

The city of St. Paul and Ramsey County have abandoned plans to purchase St. Christopher’s Place, a Marshall Avenue rooming house, from Catholic Charities and install 30 to 35 housing units for the chronically homeless as part of their “Familiar Faces” initiative.

The 286 Marshall Ave. site, located across from St. Paul College, had drawn opposition from neighbors and questions from some members of the St. Paul City Council. The St. Paul Planning Commission had been scheduled Friday morning to review a conditional use permit application for the supportive housing facility, which would sit within the minimum distance required from two other congregate living facilities located on Summit Avenue.

Rather than pursue relief from the separation requirement, Catholic Charities withdrew its application at the city and county’s request.

“Our team conducted a thoughtful and thorough examination of 286 Marshall Avenue as a potential location for the Heading Home Ramsey Familiar Faces program,” said Ramsey County spokesperson Casper Hill, in an email Thursday evening. “In doing so, we have determined the building doesn’t adequately meet the needs necessary to best support our most vulnerable neighbors.”

“The city of St. Paul and Ramsey County recognize the significant need and challenges for individuals living unsheltered in our community,” Hill continued. “We are committed to working together to address these needs with urgency and compassion. We envision a long-term, sustainable solution for a population that has, for too long, been overlooked, and it is very important to us to get it right. This work is deeply personal to us, our partners, and the community, and together we will continue to explore every opportunity to assist our unsheltered neighbors.”

St. Paul College had expressed interest last April in purchasing St. Christopher’s Place and converting it into student housing.