Trending...
- Spokane: City and Permittable Partner to Support Rebuilding After Wildfires
- Spokane: City and County Offer Adopt-A-Drain Program
- City of Tacoma's Proposed Biennial Budget Focuses on Everyday Services and Fiscal Sustainability
Kirstin Davis, 509.481.7223
In response to below freezing temperatures and creating safe and healthy space for those experiencing homelessness the regional shelter system is adjusting operations to best meet current needs. Since last week, the regional shelter system activated hoteling as a temporary COVID strategy to use non-congregate sheltering when possible, per CDC guidance during the pandemic. Federal pandemic relief funding was used for that purpose and supplemented with some additional local dollars.
According to the current National Weather Service forecast low temperatures are expected to increase Sunday through Tuesday. The regional shelter system will end the hotel voucher program operated by SNAP for single adults effective today at check-out time. SNAP staff will be on site to assist in transitioning clients. The contract was extended earlier in the week and based on SNAP's staffing capacity and the change in forecasted weather, the contract was set to end today. Families will continue to be served as part of a separate continuing overflow program through Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington.
More on Washingtoner
"The flexibility to utilize hotels has been a unique solution based because of COVID response combined with extreme weather conditions," said Mayor Nadine Woodward. "These adjustments continue to illustrate the knowledge and excellent teamwork of available resources."
City staff is exploring ways to access additional federal funding options and will assess the need to provide additional space as temperatures are expected to drop back below 32 degrees in the next few days. Temporary flexing of existing shelter spaces and removal of barriers to entry within the regional system remains in place. Recent regional shelter system reports indicate available capacity, which includes low-barrier spaces are available for adult men and women. The number of single adults accessing hotel vouchers has steadily declined this week.
Continuous and collaborative communication within the system has increased awareness and demand for resources. Hundreds of additional spaces have been added over the last two weeks and space continue to fluctuate. There have been spaces open and available for use throughout the night. Regional fire and law enforcement agencies have responded daily to a few cases of exposure among the homeless population and no deaths have been attributed to exposure since the worst of the cold weather began February 9th.
More on Washingtoner
Federal funding designated to temporarily cover non-congregate space in accordance with CDC pandemic guidance has covered the cost of hundreds of hotel rooms over the past two weeks as extreme weather patterns have activated additional response required by section 18.05.020 of Spokane Municipal Code. Shelter providers have flexed their spaces to create additional low-barrier space for adults and assisted in transportation to hotels and other available shelter space.
Until this adjustment, federal COVID funds have covered most of the non-congregate hotel space. Additional dollars have come from other homeless funding sources, including the Give Real Change campaign that directs community donations to the orange parking meters and My Spokane 311 team to support homeless resource providers.
The regional partner shelter network is comprised of numerous contract and private providers. Funding for the system is provided by Spokane County, the City of Spokane Valley, and the City of Spokane through local, state, and federal dollars. The Spokane Regional Health District partners on street outreach efforts, wellness checks, and health guidance.
In response to below freezing temperatures and creating safe and healthy space for those experiencing homelessness the regional shelter system is adjusting operations to best meet current needs. Since last week, the regional shelter system activated hoteling as a temporary COVID strategy to use non-congregate sheltering when possible, per CDC guidance during the pandemic. Federal pandemic relief funding was used for that purpose and supplemented with some additional local dollars.
According to the current National Weather Service forecast low temperatures are expected to increase Sunday through Tuesday. The regional shelter system will end the hotel voucher program operated by SNAP for single adults effective today at check-out time. SNAP staff will be on site to assist in transitioning clients. The contract was extended earlier in the week and based on SNAP's staffing capacity and the change in forecasted weather, the contract was set to end today. Families will continue to be served as part of a separate continuing overflow program through Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington.
More on Washingtoner
- Service Guys Urges Ontario Homeowners to Book Chimney Cleaning and WETT Inspections Before the 2026 Heating Season
- WOWX Completes Its Transition from CEX to Decentralized Derivatives Infrastructure
- HSS Medical Supply Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Its Top Performing Sales Team
- Jacombs Tickets Partners with UEFA to Offer Champions League Tickets
- Spokane: City to provide asbestos testing, host community resource meetings
"The flexibility to utilize hotels has been a unique solution based because of COVID response combined with extreme weather conditions," said Mayor Nadine Woodward. "These adjustments continue to illustrate the knowledge and excellent teamwork of available resources."
City staff is exploring ways to access additional federal funding options and will assess the need to provide additional space as temperatures are expected to drop back below 32 degrees in the next few days. Temporary flexing of existing shelter spaces and removal of barriers to entry within the regional system remains in place. Recent regional shelter system reports indicate available capacity, which includes low-barrier spaces are available for adult men and women. The number of single adults accessing hotel vouchers has steadily declined this week.
Continuous and collaborative communication within the system has increased awareness and demand for resources. Hundreds of additional spaces have been added over the last two weeks and space continue to fluctuate. There have been spaces open and available for use throughout the night. Regional fire and law enforcement agencies have responded daily to a few cases of exposure among the homeless population and no deaths have been attributed to exposure since the worst of the cold weather began February 9th.
More on Washingtoner
- Spokane: Mayor's Annual Address on Wildfires, Housing, and Community Safety
- Spokane: City and Permittable Partner to Support Rebuilding After Wildfires
- Geospatial Innovation Comes to Sacramento: FOSS4G NA 2026
- Tulsa Air & Space Museum Launches "Give $16 for the F-16" Challenge to Bring Thunderbird Home for Veterans Day
- Tacoma: In-Person Workshop on October 22 for Local Businesses on the City's Revolving Loan Fund Process
Federal funding designated to temporarily cover non-congregate space in accordance with CDC pandemic guidance has covered the cost of hundreds of hotel rooms over the past two weeks as extreme weather patterns have activated additional response required by section 18.05.020 of Spokane Municipal Code. Shelter providers have flexed their spaces to create additional low-barrier space for adults and assisted in transportation to hotels and other available shelter space.
Until this adjustment, federal COVID funds have covered most of the non-congregate hotel space. Additional dollars have come from other homeless funding sources, including the Give Real Change campaign that directs community donations to the orange parking meters and My Spokane 311 team to support homeless resource providers.
The regional partner shelter network is comprised of numerous contract and private providers. Funding for the system is provided by Spokane County, the City of Spokane Valley, and the City of Spokane through local, state, and federal dollars. The Spokane Regional Health District partners on street outreach efforts, wellness checks, and health guidance.
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- NEW Three Fully Furnished Single-Family Model Homes at Heritage at South Brunswick
- After 35 Years, Christian Radio Host Marina Maria Publishes the Novel She Never Forgot
- Freight Broker 911 CEO and President Milton Collier Is Rebuilding the Path Into Freight Brokerage
- Tacoma: Homicide Investigation Update
- Boston Industrial Solutions Launches New and Improved Siliart Website for Silicone Decorators
- Scoop Social Co. Brings Its Signature Mobile Dessert Experience to Phoenix
- Sky Quarry's Big Turning Point: CEO Marcus Laun Outlines the Next Phase for N A S D A Q: SKYQ
- Hunter Is Releasing New Music For The Holidays!
- Tixpool.com - Naija Premier Event Reseller
- Work 365 Expands Distributor Integrations with Companial for Microsoft Partners
- Guardian Data Opens 42,000-Square-Foot Moonachie Facility, Doubling New Jersey Capacity
- Spokane: Indigenous Peoples' Day Is Oct. 12
- SecureMaine 2026 is Here -- Thursday October 8th!
- Tacoma: Homicide Investigation – 800 Pacific Avenue
- HW Foundation Opens Nominations for Inaugural 50 Under 50 in AI; Deadline Oct. 16
- Pavillon 30 Years of Addiction Recovery in Western North Carolina, Earns National Accreditation
- Safer Spokane
- Spokane: Special Investigation Unit Seized Large Amounts of Cash and Cocaine
- Spokane: U.S. Conference of Mayors, American Beverage Foundation Visit Youth Wellness Zone
- Spokane: Disabled Smoke Alarm Contributes to Fatal Tiki Lodge Fire