SPOKANE VALLEY – Community members, activists, and local officials came together in a recent meeting to discuss pressing concerns regarding homelessness in Spokane Valley. The meeting highlighted the commitment of the community to tackle this complex issue by discussing plans and options moving forward.
Jones emphasized the need for a homeless shelter located as close as possible to the industrial district. Jones’ proposal called for a shelter with 600 clean, 10 foot by eight foot rooms, complete with hot water and separate facilities for women, men and families.
She also stressed the importance of having an alternative to jail for those in need.
Another attendee, who voiced his support for homeless individuals, suggested that the community should look to religious institutions for help. He encouraged churches to provide meals and engage in evangelism, offering both support and nourishment to those experiencing homelessness.
The meeting also discussed preparations for a new five-year plan from 2025 to 2029, with two options on the table. The first option involves adopting the existing five-year plan for the final year of the current planning cycle in 2024.
The primary goal is to connect homeless individuals to services, involving social workers and law enforcement.
The pros of this approach include its simplicity, while the cons involve limitations. The other option proposes creating an entirely new plan for 2024. The recommendation put forth during the meeting was to adopt the original plan for 2024, allowing more time to create a comprehensive new plan for the next five-year cycle.
In a step towards inclusivity, the community is mandating diverse membership for its homelessness initiatives. The committee responsible for addressing homelessness must include a member from both the county and the city. It should also have members who have personal experience dealing with homelessness.
Other valuable insights presented features funding for homeless housing, which is tied to the real estate market. The city’s share ranged from $660,000 to $1.06 million between 2019 and 2022, with $132,000 allocated for administrative costs. The city is set to begin collecting Homeless Housing and Assistance Act funds starting August 7, 2023. The 2023 revenue will be used to support Spokane County’s 2023 contracts.
Awards from the act include two low barrier shelters, Hope House Emergency Shelter, and Truth Ministries. The need for building trust through multiple interactions with homeless individuals was stressed, as well as collaboration with organizations like CHAS Healthcare and the Veterans Administration.
Challenges and insights from the meeting emerged as well, highlighting the urgency of the situation. According to the group, no money has been received from the county yet.
Daniel Aga from “Mighty to Save Ministry” noted that out of 900 contacts, only 40 individuals had been placed in stable housing, indicating the difficulties involved.
The consensus among the meeting participants was that building relationships over time was crucial before individuals would accept help.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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