In The News - 3/4/2025

The Center Square

Spokane prepares for overhaul after months of community debate over homelessness

Six months ago, Spokane advertised a series of roundtables to gather input on overhauling its approach to homelessness; 186 days later, residents are starting to get a picture of what that could look like.

While announced in August, the series lasted into December before the city council wrapped up talks that would inform its overhaul. Two months went by without much mention, but rumors circulated among city staff that the council might introduce the proposed amendments on Monday.

The changes didn’t reach Monday’s committee meeting like some had planned, but The Center Square obtained a copy of several proposals. Internal emails show the council initially planned to propose an “omnibus ordinance” but decided to break it up by at least six issues instead.