SPOKANE, Wash. — Shelter operators in Spokane will flex their capacities over the next several days to temporarily offer up to 85 additional spaces for people to seek shelter from cold overnight weather, Mayor Nadine Woodward announced on Wednesday.
Two to five inches of snow could fall in Spokane on Friday and temperatures are expected to get even colder over the weekend.
Highs will stay in the mid-30s on Saturday and Sunday and low temperatures will be down into the teens. This could prove to be record breaking cold on Monday morning. Single-digit wind chills are possible.
The City of Spokane worked with Truth Ministries to temporarily cover the $2 fee for stay, removing the barrier for men to immediately access 35 spaces at the shelter. According to the city, up to an additional 55 spaces will also be available by Friday once the space is reconfigured to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.
The Union Gospel Men's Shelter will also immediately offer 12 low-barrier spaces when temperatures drop below freezing and The Way Out Shelter, operated by The Salvation Army, will have an additional 18 spaces.
“The community has really stepped up to help people who need temporary shelter escape the early cold snap,” Woodward said. “Their generosity and compassion removes barriers for those who need a warm place to sleep in over the next several days.”
Truth Ministries has consistently had capacity for adult men. The Union Gospel Mission has had some capacity and the extra low-barrier spaces will create additional space for men.
The Way Out Shelter, which accepts adult men and women, has been at or near capacity in October. The combination of new spaces and removal of restrictions from others adds 120 spaces to the low-barrier inventory
Renovations to the City-owned building on Cannon Street are expected to be complete in early November. The space will open as a seasonal warming center with space for 80 adults.
The city and its partners are currently reviewing proposal from potential operators of the Cannon Street warming center.
The flex spaces will be open until the seasonal Cannon Street site opens as a warming center, according to the city.
Spokane's shelter system currently has 44 more spaces than would normally be available at this time of the year due to the opening of the continuous operation of the healthy shelters for COVID-19.
