SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown is proposing that the City of Spokane enter a new partnership with the Volunteers of America (VOA) to keep Hope House from closing.
The proposal includes a one-time grant of $1.2 million that would allow Hope House to continue supporting local women experiencing homelessness.
The funding comes from several cost-saving measures that Brown's administration initiated over the City’s Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC) contract.
A City of Spokane spokesperson says the original contract with TRAC negotiated by former Mayor Nadine Woodward did not include monthly caps and resulted in invoices of over $1 million per month.
Brown's administration renegotiated the TRAC contract, placing a cap on monthly costs at $620,000 while maintaining services, which has resulted in surplus savings that can now be used to assist Hope House.
“When the City of Spokane learned that Hope House might have to close its doors, leaving 80 women out on the streets, we knew we could not, in good conscience, say ‘no.’ We knew we must step in and do whatever it took to keep these women safe and supported,” said Mayor Brown.
According to a press release from the city, nearly 95% of funding for the City's work involving homeless services and affordable housing efforts comes directly from federal and state resources.
“Volunteers of America was facing the difficult reality of having to close Hope House’s doors as winter approached. With no additional investment from Commerce, Spokane County or the private sector, the City of Spokane rose to the occasion and invested in the lives of these women. They recognized the impact Hope House has in our community and stepped up to keep our doors open,” said VOA CEO Fawn Schott.
In the next year, the VOA aims to develop a new approach to stabilization and assist women in the transition to permanent housing.
The VOA intends to replace the current emergency congregate shelter operations in Spokane with stabilization and respite care to better respond to those with complex needs.
The VOA would provide service-rich, short-term housing to support early recovery and preparation for independent living that integrates clinical behavioral health, independent living skills and housing placement.
After leaving Hope House, women would be able to integrate into community housing to sustain recovery and have support from the VOA clinical team to remain permanently housed.
"The City of Spokane is looking forward to being a partner as they transition to a new model that we know helps women get back on their feet,” Brown said.
The Spokane City Council will consider a resolution based on Mayor Brown’s proposal.
