Spokane Valley task force warns Hope House contract ends June 30, potentially cutting 100 women's beds

The Spokane Valley Homeless and Housing Task Force was told Thursday that the city’s contract with Hope House runs only through June 30 and that Hope House is winding down large portions of its shelter operations, a change that will remove roughly 100 low-barrier beds for women from the local system.

City staff liaison Gloria Mann told the task force, “Our contract currently with Hope House is through June 30 only. They are undergoing some transitions.” She said the respite-style beds the city pays for would likely remain but that the larger congregate shelter capacity is being reduced.

The potential loss follows a short-term contract approach adopted late last year. Mann said the city and providers agreed to six-month terms when the current arrangement started, and the city must now decide whether to continue contracting, find another provider or stop contracting for shelter beds entirely.

Why it matters: Mann said Hope House’s higher-service respite beds — which include case management and telehealth and do not require daytime exits — are expensive (about $136 per bed per night) but often necessary for clients who need extended stabilization. She gave examples of two clients served this year who stayed 83 and 134 days, including a senior woman with dementia and cancer who required months of placement work.

Task force members asked whether a per‑diem or hybrid contracting model would be possible; staff said they would check pricing models with Hope House and return with options. Mann noted that the contract currently also includes a second bed available at a higher per‑diem only when needed and that the city has few alternative low‑barrier options locally.

Truth Ministries, which provides two low-barrier overnight men’s beds at about $28 per night, remains a lower-cost option but is used far less often, in part because it does not allow pets, does not accept couples and operates in Spokane rather than the Valley.

Next steps: Staff said they would ask Hope House whether a per‑diem model after June 30 would be possible and confirm updated pricing and capacity details for the task force. The task force must make a recommendation to city council about continuing contracts or seeking alternatives.

Provenance (selected transcript excerpts): The city staff presentation introducing the shelter contracts and Hope House timelines: “Our contract currently with Hope House is through June 30 only. They are undergoing some transitions.” (transcript excerpt) Staff explanation of respite bed services and cost: “These beds are very expensive. When you need them, you need them.” (transcript excerpt)

Ending: The task force did not vote on a contract at the meeting; it directed staff to gather clearer cost and model options and report back so members can form a recommendation to the City Council on whether to continue shelter contracting after June 30.