Mayor announces Give Real Change

Program designed to make a lasting difference with giving

Julie Happy, Communications Manger, Neighborhood and Business Service, 509.625.7773

Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 5:15 p.m.

The City of Spokane today, joined by numerous community and business partners, added new components to a system that makes treating people who experience homelessness with dignity and respect a priority while directing them to supportive resources.

New bright orange meters with the “Give Real Change” and service provider logos have been installed in a dozen outdoor locations encouraging people to donate to services supporting the needs of the city’s most vulnerable population. Additional donation boxes will be installed in indoor locations, including River Park Square and the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza. Online and text options to support a coordinate-intake system for those experiencing homelessness are also available.

“Our system, made possible by numerous community partners, is about providing a safe, warm place for people to sleep, get a meal, take a shower, seek assistance for underlying conditions, and connect them to employment resource,” Spokane Mayor David Condon said. “That is where Give Real Change will make a difference.”

Give Real Change, which supports the 24/7 shelter system, and Hope Works, a new program through Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest that will provide temporary job opportunities and introduce displaced individuals to training programs, will each benefit from the contributions.

“Ours is a compassionate city and we feel compelled to help people in need,” Councilmember Lori Kinnear said. “Give Real Change is a way to help with a more lasting impact.”

Here’s how people can help:

  • Money deposited in the specially marked meters or given via credit card donation will support the 24/7 shelter system.
  • City utility customers also have the option of rounding up their bills or adding a Give Real Change contribution to their online bill payment.
  • Contributions of $5 can be made to Hope Works by texting “CHANGE” to 50555.

The Downtown Spokane Partnership, Goodwill Industries and STA have been partners in both initiatives. Catholic Charities, Family Promise of Spokane, The Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, SNAP, Transitions, and the Union Gospel Mission provide everyday shelter, meal and other critical service connections daily.

In total, more than 30 community partner organizations partner with the City to reduce, prevent and end homelessness. To that end, the City supports a coordinated set of low-barrier, housing-focused interventions intended to ensure that the most vulnerable community members are connected to appropriate resources as quickly as possible. These interventions include:

  • Outreach: providing information, assessment and referrals for people sleeping in places not meant for human habitation – wherever they are at.
  • Coordinated Assessment: Common assessment tools and real-time referrals to available units and other services, prioritized for those most in need.
  • Diversion: Helping stabilize people in the housing they already have – preventing new occurrences of homelessness.
  • Temporary Housing: 24/7 access to emergency shelter for those experiencing housing crises, and transitional housing for those needing longer term support in the movement to self-sufficiency.
  • Permanent Housing: Short and medium-term rental assistance for rapid transition to independence and permanent supportive housing for those with disabling conditions.

Beyond services for the members of our community experiencing homelessness, the City is supporting many other programs that impact housing stability. This programming includes:

  • Affordable Housing Development:Increasing the supply of affordable housing units in the community.
  • Housing Rehabilitation: Completing critical repairs in housing for low-income homeowners to ensure safe, healthy living environments.
  • Food Security: Increasing access to healthy food.

Job-training: Programs that put people on a path to self-sufficiency and increase economic opportunities.