SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — CORRECTION: KREM previously reported three deaths resulted from exposure, according to Jewels Helping Hands director Maurice Smith. It is important that we clarify that the City of Spokane does not corroborate that account.
The city of Spokane is continuing to expand their shelter program for the homeless, while still protecting those most at risk from the coronavirus, according to a release from Spokane's Neighborhood, Housing and Human Services Department.
The city is using federal COVID funding to help pay for extra beds in area shelters amid the winter weather. The federal funding is designated to temporarily cover non-congregate space, like hotel rooms, in accordance with the Center for Disease Control pandemic guidelines.
Those funds have been used to cover the cost of hundreds of hotel rooms over the past several days, according to the City of Spokane. They also said shelter providers have adjusted by creating additional low-barrier space for adults and covering transportation costs.
Mayor Nadine Woodward authorized additional funding for the regional shelter effort late last week and again over the weekend. "Our goal with our regional partners has been to promote flexibility in space and funding to make the system responsive to emerging needs,” she said. “The partners have responded to find a warm space for those who are seeking to get out of the weather.”
“According to City public safety (SPD and SFD) reports, there were 5 reported incidents of exposure and none of them resulted in fatalities," states Kirstin Davis, a communications manager with the city. " No fatalities have been attributed to exposure within the City of Spokane in the last 24 hours. We have reached out to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane Regional Health District for information. SCSO did not have any reports of fatalities from exposure and we have not heard back from SVFD or SRHD."
While warming centers are very full, Davis says, “people are being served and provided a safe place out of the cold.” The city reported 32 open beds on Saturday evening.
JEWELS Helping Hands Shelter director Maurice Smith argues there need to be more beds.
"Usually we're dealing with frostbite, as it is very common in homeless communities in the winter," Smith said. "We're way beyond frostbite now."
20 years ago, Smith was on the street. The public saw him as "inhuman," he added.
He dedicated the rest of his life to helping change that narrative. With these freezing temperatures, he is even more adamant.
"We need to change the tone to one of fearless compassion for people who are struggling," he said.
Changing the tone is just one part of his three-part plan. Change the tone, change the optics and change the narrative.
"Do they have issues did they make bad choices?" he asked. "Yeah, we all make bad choices."
He is enacting his plan by showing the public the harsh realities the winter brings.
"I'm making documentaries about homelessness now because I understand it more from the inside out," he said. "I used to know it from the outside in."
Along with being a shelter director, he is an advocate and filmmaker challenging the stigma surrounding those who are homeless. He has been talking with city council leaders about what he says is a lack of planning and lack of resources for this vulnerable group.
"We as the community and our city as a planning institution, need to answer the question of why we don't have an emergency action plan for this kind of situation that happens every winter," he added. "We've been battling warming centers, whether or not to have them, for over 15 years."
He wondered why this is still a debate since Spokane's weather isn't going to change "that much."
"We need a standing action plan that's updated on a regular basis," he suggested. "The city isn't doing enough."
Frustrated, he helped start a new warming center on Garland Ave. and Madison St. behind City Church Spokane. This low-barrier shelter can hold around 40 people.
"I'm thankful to be here," shelter resident Joseph Sampson said. "But at the same time, there's people that are outside."
Sampson is one of the 1,500 people needing a place to stay warm, according to Smith.
"The hardest part was keeping my hands warm, and being able to feel them," he added, noting that he was previously outside this season.
Smith hoped documenting Sampson's experience and his time running the shelter would help the city see the true winter people must go through.
"We need peace in our community," Smith added. "We need to work together to accomplish that."
He hoped to start a discussion that could help more people stay warm next winter.