Trending...
- Spokane: Public Service Announcement
- Martin A. Sumichrast Joins Hawkeye Systems, Inc. as Chairman of the Board
- NextBoat's AI-Powered Marine Marketplace Gains Momentum as Record Growth Signals an Inflection Point for Investors (N Y S E American: NXB)
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
- From the Racetrack to the Boardroom: Aston Martin and Aramco Formula One Partnership Accelerates Circle8 Group: (N A S D A Q: CIRC)
- Neighbors' Barbershop Launches New Online Haircut Appointment System for Wedgewood & View Ridge Res
- U.N. Committee Reiterates Forced Psychiatric Detention a Human Rights Violation; CCHR Calls on the U.S. to Implement Protections
- Spokane Community Urged to Prepare for Inclement Weather
- Tacoma City Council Receives Positive Streets Initiative Update
"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
- Valgar LLC Launches The Briefing Room: Education Leaders
- Spokane: SPD Respond to Several Underage Drivers on Electric Motorcycles
- New Novel WINCE Takes Unflinching Aim at American Gun Culture and Masculinity
- New Research Puts the Cost of Enterprise Decision Delay at $630 Billion a Year Across the Global 2000
- Cover Story about Matthew Cossolotto – Author of Harness Your PromisePower -- Published in July 2026 Enterprise World Magazine
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
- AI Visibility Labs LLC - Dallas Texas - July 16 2026
- NextBoat's AI-Powered Marine Marketplace Gains Momentum as Record Growth Signals an Inflection Point for Investors (N Y S E American: NXB)
- DBF Viewer 2000 v9.25 Adds Command-Line Index Tag Removal
- Stepping Off the Grid: Savista Retreat Announces New Experiential Packages in Jaipur for Travellers
- Where Is Your Faith The Movie and Sountrack
- Bynn Intelligence Ranks #1 in NIST Child Online Safety Evaluation for Ages 13–16
- Rev-O-Box™ Launches Reversible Shipping Box That Instantly Becomes a Premium Gift Box
- Spokane: Flags Lowered for Senator Lindsey Graham
- Las Vegas Estate Firm Ghandi Deeter Blackham Offers Insight on Tony Hsieh's Contested $500 Million Will
- CCHR: Congressional Hearing Revives Lessons from MKULTRA Era – Why Past Psychiatric Human Rights Abuses Demand Vigilance Today
- City of Tacoma to Collect Community Ideas for District 5 Project
- Pacto Medical Wins Red Dot Design Concept Award 2026 for Slimshot® Compact Prefilled Syringe
- Heritage at Manalapan Introduces Luxury Single-Family Homes with Exceptional Value in One of Monmouth County's Most Desirable Locations
- Achugogo: Tale of the Spring Chaser Wins Inaugural TCCF Prize at Mifa Pitches, the Industry Market of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival
- Tacoma Police Department to Swear in New K-9 Teams
- Everything Policy Launches Madison, an AI Tool That Makes Legislation Readable for Students and Citizens
- Is the Market Missing One of the Most Undervalued Cybersecurity Companies on the Stock Market? Cycurion, Inc. (N A S D A Q: CYCU):
- Billion-Dollar Scale Global Technology Powerhouse Being Built with Expanding Government Contracts: Circle8 Group (N A S D A Q: CIRC)
- Tacoma City Council Adopts Stronger Environmental Protections
- Spokane: Meadowglen Park Groundbreaking July 22, 2026