Catholic Charities’ $75 million residence and health care campus to prioritize veterans

An affordable home for 173 single adults who have experienced homelessness — particularly veterans — a recuperative care unit and a health care clinic will open soon in a $75 million public-private partnership in Minneapolis led by Catholic Charities, officials announced May 18.

Supported by the city of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and state officials, several partners and donors, the Endeavors Residence and Catholic Charities at Elliot Park campus is opening at a critical time “as our community faces an acute lack of affordable housing coupled with public health challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Michael Goar, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

“We know that housing is health care, and Endeavors offers an important integrated approach that brings the two together, creating opportunities for our most vulnerable community members to thrive,” Goar said at a news conference at the new campus that included Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey; Jennifer Ho, commissioner of state housing finance agency Minnesota Housing; Marion Greene, chair of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners; and other officials.

Formerly known as Exodus Residence near St. Olaf in downtown Minneapolis, Endeavors Residence will provide affordable apartments for homeless adults and people with complex medical conditions, Catholic Charities officials said. Veterans will receive priority, providing a boost to the state’s goal of ending veteran homelessness.

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Recuperative Care Center, implemented in partnership with Hennepin County Public Health’s Health Care for the Homeless program, will provide short-term respite for up to 30 people who are without a home and need additional time to recover after being released from a hospital.

Hennepin County’s Health Care for the Homeless Clinic will offer health care to area residents who require medical support and qualify for services based on income.

The Frey Center at Elliot Park will serve as a new headquarters for Catholic Charities and provide workspace for more than 200 staff, including administrators and Aging and Disability Services teams.

Financial support for the project includes funds from Hennepin County, Minnesota Housing, the city of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, as well as lead gifts from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and Mary and Gene Frey, and pro bono services from Plymouth-based affordable housing developer Dominium and others.

The investments allowed Catholic Charities to purchase the former Augustana Health Care Center in December 2019 to create the Elliot Park facility.

“Endeavors represents a model public-private partnership — smart, innovative thinking leveraged by collective strengths and fueled by doing what’s right,” said Jeff Huggett, senior vice president and project partner at Dominium. “So many partners made bold commitments to help our community members who are struggling the most. We’re proud to be part of this historic effort that made the Endeavors project possible.”