Erin Hut, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 12:56 p.m.
In advance of bitter cold temperatures, Mayor Lisa Brown’s Administration is asking the community to prepare and familiarize themselves with resources available to them.
Anyone without reliable shelter or in need of warmth will be able to access the regional shelter system and City Library locations to be inside out of the cold.
The Mayor’s Administration is currently working to coordinate existing resources and implement new capacity to protect anyone in need of help.
The Neighborhood, Housing, and Human Services Division is working with providers to get an inventory of current bed capacity and bed availability within the existing shelter system.
Mayor Brown’s Administration is also working with these same providers, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to provide emergency surge capacity. If these assessments show the need for even more bed space, the Cannon Street Shelter will open as an emergency shelter during nighttime hours.
On Tuesday, the Spokane Fire Department, Code Enforcement, and Building Services inspected the Cannon Street site. The HVAC and water were turned on, plywood removed from windows and doors, parking lot cleared of nails, electrical repaired, and roof repaired. The facility is prepared to open if needed and the City is working to secure a potential operator and security services.
Daytime Services
Individuals in need of warmth will also have the option of utilizing libraries during regular business hours to get inside out of the elements and have access to wi-fi connectivity, restrooms, water, interactive play areas and warm space.
Spokane Public Library locations are open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
· Central - 906 W. Main St.
· Shadle Park - 2111 W. Wellesley Ave.
· Liberty Park - 402 S. Pittsburg St.
· South Hill - 3324 S. Perry St.
· Hillyard - 4110 N. Cook St.
· Indian Trail - 4909 W. Barnes Rd.
Limited seating is also available inside the STA Plaza downtown during normal business hours of 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday; and 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday as temporary place to warm up.
Transportation
The Salvation Army, which operates TRAC, 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.
In addition, Spokane Transit Authority will offer a fare exception to customers without fare payment traveling to and from warming centers when the temperature drops to 32 degrees or lower. Youth 18 and under always ride free on STA. Use your Rider’s License Connect Card, student ID, or just let the operator know your age while boarding.
“My administration is working with our network of providers and checking every avenue to ensure that we take every step to protect people as we get this through cold weather. As we do this, I also ask everyone in our community to stay vigilant and take care of their neighbors,” Mayor Brown said.
The Mayor's Administration will brief the City Council on the finalized warming center plan during its Study Session on Thursday at 11 a.m.
The meeting can also be accessed live on CityCable5 and streamed online at https://my.spokanecity.org/citycable5/live/ and https:////www.facebook.com/spokanecitycouncil
