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Council approves $2 million in homeless-services grants amid debate over shelter transparency and population mixes
Summary
Spokane City Council approved four one-time awards of $500,000 each to local shelter and service providers but several council members and public commenters pressed for more transparency about shelter locations, accountability on spending and concerns about mixing low-barrier and transitional populations.
The Spokane City Council approved one-time awards totaling $2 million to local homeless-service providers after discussion about shelter operations and transparency.
Council members voted, by voice, to fund the Way Out Shelter ($500,000), Catholic Charities ($500,000), Volunteers of America Hope House ($500,000) and to provide inclement-weather funding to Revive Counseling ($500,000). The items were on the consent agenda and were approved after separate discussion and voice votes.
Council members and public commenters said the grants address urgent needs but raised concerns about provider accountability and the public’s ability to review shelter locations and operating plans. Council member CatCard said of the Way Out Shelter plan: “I am, strongly going to oppose this.” Council member Caccard echoed that mixing certain populations in a single facility is inappropriate: “somebody who is addicted and in a bad situation should not be bringing that into the same space as somebody…
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