Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 3:21 p.m.
The City is seeking proposals from potential operators of a night-by-night emergency shelter that would be activated at its discretion, including to meet weather and air quality needs.
Those seeking a safe place to stay would be able to drop in 24 hours a day. A location for the shelter has to be secured. The request-for-proposal process is being run concurrent to the location search.
“Homelessness is a big and growing challenge,” Mayor Nadine Woodward said. “This will enhance our regional system, give people a safe place to stay, and get them to a place of being able to connect to services to directly address underlying causes of homelessness.”
Proposals from prospective operators are due by March 24. Providers are encouraged to partner to meet the needs of multiple demographics. The request for proposals specifically seeks ideas for managing service connectivity for individuals who would use the space.
The City is actively engaged in conversations with potential shelter location partners for the emergency activation center. Stakeholder and neighborhood engagement would follow quickly after a site is secured.
Separately, the City is also exploring potential partnerships to locate a new permanent shelter outside of the downtown core. Stakeholder and neighborhood engagement would also coincide with securing that site.
