Brian Coddington

Regional shelter system fills gaps, adds consistency

Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740

Friday, October 1, 2021 at 9 p.m.

Regional shelter system fills gaps, adds consistency

Updated 10/11/2021

Homelessness requires different resources to match individual needs, experiences, and stages of the journey to stable housing. Employment, behavioral health, substance abuse, and case management are all part of the wrap-around services that can facilitate housing success.

The City is part of a regional shelter system network that has experienced several updates over the past year and beyond. New resources are filling gaps for young adults, better matching tools to where people are in life, and introducing greater consistency for those who use them and the staffs that provide them.

Mayor Nadine Woodward has worked with regional governmental and service provider partners to bring several new resources online and solidify others that will enhance the resources available as we head into winter.

What’s new?

  • Finalized contract with the Guardians Foundation to operate a 24/7 shelter with day space and ready access to employment, behavioral health, substance abuse, and case management service for adult men and women at Cannon Street
  • Extended and formalized winter space expansion in the Truth Ministries contract serving adult men through
  • Increased services for adult women with the addition of services at Volunteers of America’s Hope House
  • Added 15 dedicated spaces for young adults (ages 18-24) at Transitions as a temporary location
  • Added 15 dedicated spaces for young adults (ages 18-24) at Hope House
  • Finalizing contract with The Salvation Army to operate a service-intensive, continuous-stay housing program at The Way Out center beginning in November
  • Working with regional partners to open the Volunteers of America Young Adult Shelter in a permanent location near Spokane Community College

What’s continuing?

  • Collaboration and coordinate with regional providers, Spokane Regional Health District, and Spokane County, to mitigate the impacts of COVID outbreaks  
  • Distribution of more than over $32 million in U.S. Treasury Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance funds through local providers for City residents impacted by COVID
  • Reviewing and recommending level of winter emergency hotel support and funding for families and other needs

Information about winter and emergency sheltering has been summarized in one place on the City’s website. The system remains a work in progress and information will be updated as it changes.

The City will provide updates through the news media, social media, city website, community newsletter, partner provider communications, outreach teams, first responders, and business partners.

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