Spokane Standard

Multiple proposals aimed at bolstering housing and homeless services  will be considered during Monday’s City Council meeting at 6 p.m                                                                 

A public hearing will be held on an  interim zoning ordinance that allows shelters to be operated in heavy  industrial areas citywide. The interim zoning ordinance would be in  effect

until Nov. 7, 2022, unless extended or canceled at a public  hearing.

The City Council on June 27 approved a lease agreement for a homeless shelter at 4320 E. Trent Ave. in East Spokane. The  facility is owned by Lawrence B. Stone Properties

#4320, LLC, and is  expected to be ready for occupancy around the beginning of August and  will serve as a low-barrier shelter occupying 150-250 unhoused  individuals. 

 Proposed contracts are being  negotiated with The Guardians Foundation and Salvation Army for  operating the shelter and providing wrap-around services respectively.

 “All of the moving parts to opening  the shelter as another safe temporary housing option for homeless  individuals have taken a lot of collaboration with partners and the  community and are coming together,” said Eric Finch, Neighborhoods,  Housing and Human Services Interim Director.                                                                

The Council will also consider a  resolution requiring all future City-funded homeless service provider  contracts include a Good Neighbor Agreement. Good Neighbor Agreements  are a strategy to address neighborhood concerns that arise when new  resources to support those experiencing homelessness are developed or  expanded within the community.

Shelter-related funding amendments are part of the Council’s Consent Agenda.

One proposal is to increase funding  for Catholic Charities from the Emergency Solutions Grant provided by  the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) $79,710 for the Rap

Re-Housing for Families Program for a total contract amount of $232,428.  The funds will be used for housing relocation and stabilization  services and rent assistance.

The other funding request is a  commitment amendment with Volunteers of America for an additional  $750,000 from HUD’s Community Development Block Grant due to th

 elevated costs of reconstruction for the homeless youth and young adult  shelter at 3104 E. Augusta Ave.

Original source can be found here.