Spokane has a regional network of spaces and resources available for use by those needing a safe place to spend the night or day from the elements during emergencies. Those include shelter for single adults, families, young adults, and youths during days and nights, libraries during business hours, drinking fountains and splash pads and pools.
Space is available on a night-by-night drop-in basis except where noted below. A service-intensive program to rapidly move individuals into housing requiring a referral and day space are also part of the regional system detailed below. Shelters update space available on the Shelter Me Spokane website.
Public transportation is provided by Spokane Transit Authority, which has routes to and from resources during extreme weather. Additionally, The Salvation Army has vans that can meet people where they are at 24-7 and help them connect to local shelters. Call 509-280-6860 or 509-280-6894 for a ride.
Following is an overview of those resources.
Resources and Map: Spokane Cooling Resources and Map
FAQs: FAQs for Extreme Weather Event 2024 (PDF 189 KB)
Facilities: Currently, the City leverages citywide public libraries, the Trent Resource and Assistance Center and park facilities and for cooling center spaces. As cooling center space is generally offered during daytime hours (finite amount of time), the City will continue to identify City-owned and already staffed facilities to leverage for cooling center space. Shelters update space available on the Shelter Me Spokane website.
Operators/staff: City parks and library staff who are already working in the City-owned facility spaces serve as the on-site coordinators for the cooling center spaces when activated, supported by community volunteers and other City staff who volunteer to support the operations. The Salvation Army operates TRAC.
Public communications: City communications puts out public messaging in anticipation of upcoming extreme hot weather, based on National Weather Service (NWS) briefings and related data. In addition, the City publicly shares information about the City-activated cooling center spaces and provides information about additional public spaces for cooling such as libraries, shelters, parks, pools, and splash pads in partnership with the Spokane Regional Health District. City communications uses mass (traditional and social media, web and other digital assets) and direct (community newsletter, provider outreach, flyers used by outreach teams) distribution channels. Cooling center activation information is published throughout the duration of the event to supplement the regular communication process identified above.
Public Transportation: Public transportation is provided by Spokane Transit Authority, which has routes to and from resources during extreme weather. STA will offer fare exceptions to riders going to a cooling space when the temperature is 95 degrees or above. If a passenger boards a bus and indicates they do not have fare payment, and that they are traveling to a cooling space, STA will allow them to ride for free. Additionally, The Salvation Army has vans that can meet people where they are at 24-7 and help them connect to local shelters. Call 509-280-6860 or 509-280-6894 for a ride.
FAQs: FAQs for Extreme Weather Event 2024 (PDF 189 KB)
Facilities: The Trent Resource and Assistance Center, 4320 E. Trent Ave., will serve as the primary safer air center location when the air quality index at Airnow.gov is "very unhealthy" (201 or higher). The Trent center is a safe, healthy indoor facility that has separated spaces for different demographics to stay indoors out of the elements with access to water, snacks, showers, restrooms, and three meals daily. During the daytime and normal business hours, public indoor spaces such as libraries are an option to escape the smoke. In addition, other shelter providers throughout the city are encouraged to continue to provide space to those who need it if there's capacity. Shelters update space available on the Shelter Me Spokane website.
Operators/staff: The Salvation Army is the day-to-day operator of the 24/7 Trent Resource and Assistance Center that serves as the Safer Air Center.
Food/meal providers: Contract established with The Salvation Army, for the 24/7 operation of a safer air center (three meals per day).
Public communications: City communications puts out public messaging as early as possible during poor AQI events based on AirNow data. In addition, the City publicly shares information about supplementary indoor safer air spaces such as libraries and commerce centers. City communications uses mass (traditional and social media, web and other digital assets) and direct (community newsletter, provider outreach, flyers used by outreach teams) distribution channels. Cooling center activation information is promoted on the home page of my.spokanecity.org and promoted throughout the duration of the event to supplement the regular communication process identified above.
Public Transportation: Spokane Transit Authority has routes to and from resources during extreme weather. Additionally, The Salvation Army has vans that can meet people where they are at 24-7 and help them connect to local shelters. Call 509-280-6860 or 509-280-6894 for a ride.
Facilities: The existing regional shelter system includes capacity to expand temporarily during extreme cold weather events through the following actions. Shelters update space available on the Shelter Me Spokane website. A contract have been executed with The Salvation Army to operate the Trent Resource and Assistance Center shelters for 24/7 access. Hope House (Volunteers of America) has added spaces for women and young adults. The Way Out Facility, operated by The Salvation Army, opened as a short-term, intensive continuous stay housing program, freeing up space in the night-by-night system when an individual is referred to the program. Volunteers of America has added temporary space for young adults in partnership with Transitions.
Operators/staff: Shelters are operated by contract providers and staff employed by the shelter owner.
Food/meal providers: Shelters provide or arrange for meals through existing resources and contracts.
Public communications: City communications puts out public messaging in anticipation of upcoming extreme cold weather, based on National Weather Service (NWS) briefings and related data. In addition, the City publicly shares information about expanded capacity in the existing shelter system and provides information about additional public spaces for warming such as libraries and commerce centers. Communication channels include the new media, social media, City website, community newsletter, partner provider communications, outreach teams, first responders, and business partners.
Folks interested in volunteering to support the warming centers should reach out to the providers listed above.
Folks interested in donating items to support warming efforts are encouraged to drop off donations at the following locations during daytime hours:
Suggested donation items:
Know the Number Guide
Updated on Aug. 14, 2024
