City Launches Program to Assist Low-Income Homeowners with Remaining Tree Debris from Windstorm

Assistance will be available through SNAP

Marlene Feist, City of Spokane Public Works & Utilities, (509) 625-6505

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 10:15 a.m.

Some eight months after the community’s historic windstorm, the City of Spokane is continuing to work with property owners to get rid of toppled trees and huge stumps left over from the storm. A new program has been launched to help low-income homeowners deal with remaining tree debris.

“While residents are responsible for the cleanup of such debris, we know some of our homeowners just can’t afford to have this debris removed,” says Heather Trautman, the City’s Director of Neighborhood Services and Code Enforcement. “We need to work together to address these safety concerns, reduce fire risk, and improve our neighborhoods.”

The City has contracted with SNAP (Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners) to facilitate removal and disposal of such material for qualified City residents. The program will support homeowners whose annual incomes are at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), which is a common eligibility threshold for federal, state, and local programs that serve low-income individuals and families. For example, 80 percent of the AMI would be $40,100 for a family of two and $50,100 for a family of four.

The program is the latest effort by the City to assist property owners with cleanup following last November’s dramatic storm. The City also:

  • Provided free disposal for tree and yard debris for 18 days following the storm at the Waste to Energy Facility and the Northside Landfill. More than 3,000 tons of material was brought in.
  • Offered free clean green dumpster events in each of the City’s three Council Districts during December.
  • Extended its curbside yard waste collection program for two additional weeks for free.
  • Funded a $40,000 program to assist with emergency home repairs for low-income homeowners.

SNAP can be reached at 319.3080 for this program only or through their website at www.snapwa.org. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and applications must be submitted by September 20.

The City has identified about 200 residential locations with remaining tree debris. Only some of those property owners will qualify for assistance under this program.

Residents who need to clear storm debris from private property are encouraged to refer to the list of licensed arborists at spokanecity.org. Safety should be a priority; be sure to call 8-1-1 to identify locations of utilities before digging. For removal of large stumps, which can weigh hundreds of pounds to a ton or more, citizens also should consider contacting logging, demolition, and excavation companies.

Clean green material can be taken to the Waste to Energy Facility, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd., and disposed of at the regular clean green disposal rate. Cost is $5.30 for up to 220 pounds or $49.76 per ton.