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Spokane council adopts ‘ban the address’ ordinance to remove applicant address from early hiring steps
Summary
The Spokane City Council voted 6–1 to bar employers from asking for applicants’ addresses early in the hiring process, aiming to reduce a barrier experienced by unhoused and housing‑insecure jobseekers; supporters called it a low‑cost, dignity‑preserving change and opponents said it does not solve homelessness.
The Spokane City Council voted 6–1 to adopt Ordinance C36666, known locally as the “ban the address” ordinance, which prohibits employers from asking job applicants for their home address during the hiring process.
The ordinance’s sponsors and supporters described it as a simple, low‑cost step to reduce an unfair hiring barrier for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. “This ordinance makes it clear that we value people for what they bring to the table, not where they lay their head at night,” Terry Anderson, director of the Spokane Office of the Tenants Union of Washington State, told the council during public comment.
Supporters: Council members who backed the measure framed it as “low‑hanging fruit” that preserves dignity and helps people gain employment—often a path out of homelessness. Council member Dillon said the city was “really making history tonight as the first city in the country to pass an ordinance like this,” and noted bipartisan support from local groups including the Spokane Business Association.
Opposition and concerns: Several members of the public opposed the measure as insufficient to address broader homelessness or public‑safety concerns. Will Hewings, a downtown resident, called the ordinance an “insulting joke” and said it would not address the practical problems of job applicants who lack housing, laundry or storage. Other commenters suggested the change could be symbolic if employers still infer instability from PO boxes or shelter addresses.
What the ordinance does and limits: The rule prevents asking for an applicant’s address during early hiring steps; it does not prevent employers from collecting permanent mailing or tax information later in the process for payroll, tax or legal purposes. Sponsors and commenters repeatedly emphasized that the ordinance removes one administrative gatekeeper rather than solving housing shortages.
Vote and next steps: The council recorded a 6–1 vote in favor. Council members asked staff to support implementation and enforcement and to monitor whether the change improves hiring outcomes for people experiencing housing instability.
Ending: With the vote, Spokane becomes one of the first U.S. cities to adopt an ordinance restricting address requests in early hiring; council members said they will monitor outcomes and consider additional measures.
