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Advisory committee hears city homelessness response; Lee Williams elected DVC chair
Summary
At its January meeting the development volunteer committee advisory group heard from Ariel Anderson of Neighborhood Housing and Human Services on navigation centers, shelter referrals, and the ShelterMeSpokane.org resource; the committee elected Lee Williams of Friends of Coeur d'Alene Park as its new chair.
Ariel Anderson of the city’s Neighborhood Housing and Human Services told the Development Volunteer Committee (DVC) advisory group that the city is using a multi-pronged approach to help people experiencing homelessness, including navigation centers that connect individuals to satellite shelters and shelter beds when available.
"There are not enough beds available for all those who need them, especially men and especially for walk-in situations," Anderson said, noting capacity limits and constrained funds.
Anderson recommended that citizens contact partnering outreach organizations when they see an individual in a park who needs assistance. She said the city’s ShelterMeSpokane.org website and the Shelter Me app show participating organizations and available beds. Anderson also said the department will provide a resource guide and potentially laminated kiosks or handouts for distribution in parks.
Committee members discussed placement of location-service pamphlets in park kiosks, and Lindsay Shaw suggested the pamphlets be made readily available. Anderson and committee members noted that increased positive activity in parks tends to reduce negative activities and that outreach-worker connections are a key first step for connecting people to shelter and services.
The DVC also elected Lee Williams from Friends of Coeur d'Alene Park as the committee’s new chair; the change followed Kelly Brown’s departure from Friends of Manito after she accepted a position with Idaho Central Credit Union. Lee Williams will assume chair responsibilities and the committee discussed future coordination with the Parks Foundation and Community Minded Enterprises on children’s programming and fiscal sponsorship.
Why it matters: The presentation clarified current city options for connecting people to shelter and listed public-facing resources citizens can use to find or report available beds; the committee’s election updates leadership for neighborhood engagement and partner coordination.
Ending: Committee members said the next DVC meeting will be March 12 at noon at Finch Arboretum.
