1. Neglecting Basic City Services is NOT Compassion
Below is a photo and video link taken this week in the ‘public right of way’ in front of the Holly Mason Building (FORMER location of Zona Blanca) – imagine trying to lease this beautiful, historic property!
Spokane is long overdue in creating solutions that ensure safe, clean streets while providing resources and pathways for those in need! Neglecting enforcement isn’t compassion—it’s failure. We must do better.
View Video Here: https://lnkd.in/gXwrYb2S
2. A Spokane homelessness initiative with BIG results: “Homeward Bound Program”
The Homeward Bound program, funded by Spokane County and administered by Volunteers of America (VOA), is proving to be a quiet yet impactful initiative in addressing homelessness in Spokane.
Homeward Bound provides covers transportation expenses along with other support services to individuals experiencing homelessness, including those facing the added challenges of addiction, who seek to reunite with family or stable support networks they have in other communities. Here’s a look at three key takeaways from its progress:
1. Measured Success and Impact:
In its inaugural year (July 2022 to July 2023), Spokane County allocated $30,000 to Homeward Bound, allowing 102 individuals to be served at an average cost of $294 per person. Following this success, a second funding round of $30,000 was granted for April through December 2024, serving 120 individuals at an even lower average cost of $250 each.
2. Zero Recidivism and High Demand:
VOA reports zero known recidivism among participants, underscoring the program’s effectiveness. According to VOA staff, Homeward Bound is their most-requested service at the front-desk, reflecting its strong appeal to individuals who are ready to leave Spokane and reconnect with family or other deeper support systems in another community. The referrals, which must come through local service providers, ensure individuals are placed in environments with documented resources for recovery and stability.
3. A Solution for Both Individuals and the Community:
For participants, Homeward Bound offers a chance to relocate to communities where they have family or access to critical services, creating a pathway out of the cycle of homelessness and related challenges. For Spokane, the program alleviates some of the immense pressure on local systems struggling to meet the needs of individuals facing homelessness and addiction. By effectively transitioning people to places where they are better positioned to thrive, the program serves as a smart, compassionate solution that benefits everyone involved.
Next Step – Future Funding:
Spokane County is currently in the process of issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to transition the Homeward Bound program to sustainable funding sources. Given VOA’s demonstrated success and unique capabilities in administering the program effectively, the County could consider expediting this process by sole-sourcing the RFP directly to VOA. This approach could ensure continuity and allow the program to build on its success without interruption.
Spokane Business Association strongly supports The Homeward Bound program as an excellent example of targeted intervention addressing homelessness, and addiction with both heart and efficiency. We commend Spokane County and VOA for their vision and leadership in making this program a great success.
3. Addressing Spokane’s Housing Crisis: Why Hard Work – NOT RENT CONTROL – Is the Solution
Spokane, Washington, is grappling with a housing crisis that has led to skyrocketing rental rates. Over the past five years, rents in Spokane have increased by around 50%, one of the steepest hikes in the nation. This surge, driven by a severe housing shortage and population growth, has left many renters struggling to afford basic housing. While turning to quick fixes like rent control may seem tempting, such measures only address symptoms – and likely exacerbate them – rather than solving the root problem.
Rent control, as proposed in Washington State’s House Bill 1217, may provide short-term relief for some renters, but it comes with long-term consequences. These types of policies often discourage investment in new housing developments and lead to a decline in the maintenance of existing properties, ultimately reducing the housing supply. In a city like Spokane, where vacancy rates are already low, restricting the rental market further will only exacerbate the crisis, driving up costs and making it harder for renters to find homes.
Noting that Spokane has already adopted various renter protection provisions, to truly address Spokane’s housing crisis, we need to focus on solutions that tackle the underlying supply problem – not easy fixes like rent controls that have a long history of ineffectiveness across the country (consider San Francisco, New York, and Berkeley where rents are among the highest in the country and where rent controls have demonstrably decreased available rental housing). Truly addressing the causes of our housing and rental gaps requires hard work and collaboration across jurisdictions. By focusing on truly effective solutions, Spokane can increase its housing supply, stabilize rental costs, and ensure long-term affordability. Turning to easy fixes like rent control may feel like progress, but it’s a short-sighted approach that risks making the situation worse. The real path forward requires commitment, collaboration, and a focus on sustainable growth.
The Spokane Business Association (SBA) supports these long-term solutions and is actively working to foster collaboration between developers, contractors, and community leadership through our Contractors, Managers, and Developers Focus Council meetings. These ongoing efforts include addressing inefficiencies in the city’s permitting processes, advocating for better integration between departments, creating opportunities for public-private partnerships to spur development, and effectively engaging in our Land Capacity Analysis (LCA) being conducted as part of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan update.
By engaging with stakeholders at every level, the SBA aims to be a driving force in crafting effective housing policies that will expand the housing supply, stabilize rents, and build a stronger, more sustainable Spokane.