City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 08
Chapter 08.07C
Section 08.07C.030
 

Title 08 Taxation and Revenue

Chapter 08.07C HEART

Section 08.07C.030 Uses of Tax Revenues; Funding Priorities

 

  1. The City may use the moneys collected by the tax imposed under SMC 08.07C.020 or bonds issued under RCW 82.14.530(5) only for the purposes described in RCW 82.14.530, with a minimum of seventy percent (70%) of the revenue collected under this chapter annually to be used for the following purposes, consistent with RCW 82.14.530(2) with a specific preference for occupant ownership of housing units, including, without limitation, cooperatively-owned multi-family projects:
    1. Grants, loans, or projects to construct or acquire affordable housing, which may include emergency, transitional, and supportive housing and new units of affordable housing within an existing structure, and facilities providing housing-related services or acquiring land for these purposes; or
    1. Grants, loans, or projects to construct or acquire behavioral health-related facilities, or acquiring land for these purposes; or
    1. Funding the operations and maintenance costs of new units of affordable housing and facilities where housing-related programs are provided, or newly constructed evaluation and treatment centers.
    1. The affordable housing and facilities providing housing-related programs in 08.07C.030(A)(1) may only be provided to persons within any of the following population groups whose income is at or below sixty percent of the median income of Spokane County:
      1. Persons with behavioral health disabilities; or
      1. Veterans;
      1. Senior citizens;
      1. Persons who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless, including families with children;
      1. Unaccompanied homeless youth or young adults;
      1. Persons with disabilities; or
      1. Domestic violence survivors.

Each year the foregoing uses may constitute less than seventy percent (70%) of the annual revenues collected under this chapter with council approval via a resolution that (1) sets forth the actual percentages allocated to the proposed uses of revenues and (2) approves the proposed use of funds as allocated.

  1. The remainder of the moneys collected under this chapter must be used for (1) the operation, delivery, or evaluation of mental and behavioral health treatment programs and services or housing-related services, with the overall objective of helping to maintain housing stability, (2) the Legal Services and Relocation Fund, in the amounts and for the purposes set forth in section 07.08 158 of this code.
  1. Commencing January 1, 2026, the City Council may adopt an annual resolution no later than March 1 identifying any objective priority or priorities the Council seeks to achieve by projects and services recommended for award under this chapter.  Adoption of such a resolution shall not be a substitute for council approval of funding of individual projects as may be required under Sections 07.06 and 07.19 of the Spokane Municipal Code.
  1. Recommendations on the use of revenues collected under this chapter shall employ a racial equity framework that promotes equity, reduces disparities in housing, and achieves equitable outcomes for marginalized populations and populations that have been subject to historical or present discrimination in housing markets and/or housing policy.
  1. The City may, under the authority of RCW 82.14.530(5), issue general obligation or revenue bonds within the limitations now or hereafter prescribed by state law, and may use, and is authorized to pledge, up to fifty percent (50%) of the revenues collected under the authority of this chapter for repayment of such bonds, in order to finance the provision or construction of affordable housing, facilities where housing-related programs are provided, or evaluation and treatment centers described in RCW 82.14.530(2)(a)(iii).
  1. Revenues collected under this chapter may be used to offset reductions in state or federal funds for the purposes described in RCW 82.14.530(2).
  1. No more than ten percent (10%) of the revenues collected under the authority of this chapter may be used to supplant existing local funds.
  1. No more than ten percent (10%) of the revenues collected under the authority of this chapter may be used for staff and administrative expenses or program implementation costs incurred by the City of Spokane.

 

Date Passed: Monday, October 20, 2025

Effective Date: Friday, November 28, 2025

ORD C36732 Section 4