SPOKANE, Wash. — June marks the end of Spokane Unite’s 90 day due diligence plan to address homelessness.
Back in March, elected leaders from Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights and Cheney agreed to work together on a regional plan to tackle the issue.
Wednesday morning, Spokane Unite leaders presented its recommendations for funding, staffing and structuring of a Regional Authority on Homelessness, Housing, Health and Safety.
“The opportunity to get better is definitely there as we work together,” volunteer lead Theresa Sanders shared.
Hundreds came out to hear how conversations from the last 90 days will be turned into action.
Volunteer lead Rick Romero said the regional authority needs a unique structure.
"This is going to be a standalone entity that has its own governance and its own structure,” Romero said.
Romero said the regional authority will be supported by a 13-member board and funded by the Housing and Urban Development department, Department of Commerce and CARES Act.
Spokane Unite said it won’t waste time to get its ideas off paper.
Leaders said by the end of the year, the authority should be near-operational.
Mayor Nadine Woodward said the issue of homelessness needs an aggressive timeline.
"This challenge isn't going away and it's not decreasing right now and we need to be aggressive in how we address it so it doesn't continue to grow because we've seen it grow," Mayor Woodward said. "You've seen the numbers. Our unsheltered numbers have grown."
According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, Spokane County's homeless population grew by 36% in the last year.
Spokane Unite said with its proposed ideas, Spokane’s homeless population could be reduced by 40% in the next two years.
Jewels Helping Hands executive director Julie Garcia said it’ll be a challenge to get to the root of the problem on that timeline.
“If we’re going to address the core problems associated with homeless, 18 to 24 months is a very short timeframe, but with collaboration and political will, we were able to close Camp Hope and house 200 people," Garcia said. "So it is possible, we just have to have the right people at the table.”
Spokane Unite said the public can continue to be a part of future conversations.
People are encouraged to collaborate with their city representatives and share feedback on Spokane Unite’s website.
The conclusion of the meeting launched the 60-day period review of the draft recommendations for funding, staffing and provider and shelter contracts.
Jan. 1 is the goal to have all elements brought together to begin work as the Regional Authority on Homelessness, Housing, Health and Safety.
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