Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, 509.625.6226
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 8:32 a.m.
During Monday night’s legislative session, Council adopted a resolution to create a comprehensive strategy to address housing and homelessness in Spokane. This resolution is in response to an escalation in housing prices, lack of available affordable units for residents at or below the Area Median Income, and limited housing supply overall.
“This resolution is a starting point for Council to debate and shape a strategy to address housing and homelessness going forward,” says Public Safety & Community Health Chair and Councilwoman Lori Kinnear. “This provides the Mayor with a clear list of priority actions that have Council support with the assurance that they would be funded.”
The resolution calls for amplified information sharing, increase housing availability and accessibility, and a clear strategy to set goals. The resolution includes a 13-point addendum that includes a pilot for “Smart Growth Initiative”, implement the 5th Avenue Initiative, receive quarterly updates from the Spokane Regional Continuum of Care, and monitor ongoing and proposed new government-sponsored programming and spending to address homelessness.
