A private park in inner Southeast Portland that serves as a daytime haven for the homeless appears destined for development.

Catholic Charities is purchasing the property adjacent to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for roughly $2 million, said Trell Anderson, the organization's director of housing and community development. The church owns and manages the property, known as St. Francis Park.

Celebrate the park

What:

Live music, food, storytelling

Where:

St. Francis Park, SE Stark St. and SE 12th Ave.

When:

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

The Buckman neighborhood park is bordered by Southeast 11th and 12th avenues and Southeast Stark and Oak streets.

The sale is expected to be finalized in the next 30 days. Anderson said it's been an "ongoing conversation" for about three years.

The non-profit has submitted a development proposal and application for monetary assistance to the city's housing bureau. Catholic Charities hopes to build 102 affordable studios and one-bedroom apartments.

Most units would be "workforce housing," which is an increasingly popular term meaning the units are affordable for families earning 60 percent of the median income. Ten units would be set aside for those earning only 30 percent of the median income.

"That neighborhood is gentrifying rapidly," Anderson said. "Our intent here is to provide the affordable option for people working in the neighborhood."

Catholic Charities plans to reserve 25 units for women transitioning out of homelessness or abusive homes through the organization's assistance programs. (Those reserved units include the 10 priced for people earning 30 percent of the median income.)

Anderson said he expects to hear back from the city early next month. If the charity is awarded funding, Anderson hopes to break ground in the next year.

The park will remain open until construction begins.

The proposed J-shaped building is four stories high along Southeast 12th Avenue, and three stories along Southeast Stark Street and part of 11th avenue.

Anderson said the non-profit hopes to "activate" Oak Street, which is a pedestrian right-of-way through the block, by designing welcoming gardens in the courtyard. Creating a hospitable environment is one of the charity's guiding principles for the project.

St. Francis Park has been a popular site for respite among the homeless population for several years. Taking that space away is "hard," Anderson said.

"It absolutely provides some peace and some sanctuary for people who are really struggling," he said. "We hope that is mitigated in some way by dedicating 25% of the units to homeless women."

-- Melissa Binder