10-2024 HHTF Packet
10210 E Sprague Avenue |Spokane Valley WA 99206
Phone: (509) 720-5000 |Fax: (509) 720-5075 |www.spokanevalleywa.gov
SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
REGULARMEETINGAGENDA
Thursday, October 24,2024 | 2:00p.m.
Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave, Room N212Second Floor Conference Room
and virtuallyon Zoom:Click here to: Join the meeting online
Meeting ID:823 8451 5204| Passcode:211610
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3.General Public Comment Opportunity This is an opportunity for the public to speak on any
subject except agenda action items, as public comments will be taken on those items where
indicated.
ACTION ITEMS
4.Approval of September 24Meeting Minutes
INFORMATION AND DISUCSSION ITEMS
5.5-Year Homeless Plan and Spokane County Consolidated Plan update –Ami Manning
6.City Property RFP Update
7.Outreach Team update
8.Adjourn
SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
Special Meeting Minutes| September 26, 2024| 2:00pm
at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave, Room N212 and on Zoom
1 Call to Order: Themeeting was called to order at 2:04pm
2 Attendance: In attendance were:
Task Force MembersGuests (in-person)
Mayor Pam Haley, ChairHerb Limbaugh
Lance BeckJoe Ader, Family Promise of Spokane
George Dahl
John Parker
StaffGuests (online)
Eric Robison, Housing & Homeless CoordinatorSara Clements-Sampson
Gloria Mantz, City Services AdministratorArielle Anderson, City of Spokane
Sarah Farr, Accounting and Finance Program ManagerChris McKinney, Spokane County
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
3General Public Comment Opportunity
Mr. Herb Limbaugh commented that he feels most ofthe services provided to homeless individuals areenabling
them instead of actually helping them recover from addictions and/or obtain permanent housing. He feels it is
unfair to ask taxpayersto continue to foot the bill for providing services that aren’t actually solving the problem.
He said the city has a dutytotake action on this.
ACTION ITEMS
4Approval of May 10, June 14, and August 9 Meeting Minutes
Lancemade a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Georgeseconded. Motion passed unanimously.
5Date Change for Regular Meetings
The Task Force previously approved a regular meeting date/time of the second Friday of the month at 9am.
However, recently there have been several meetings without a quorum, indicating that perhaps this time has
become hard for members to attend. Last month a poll was distributed to members to identify a different
meeting date/time and results showed that the fourth Thursday at 2pm was preferable.
Lancemade a motion to change the regular meeting date and time to the fourth Thursday of each month at
2:00pm. John seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force 09.26.24Meeting Minutes-DRAFTPage 1 of 2
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
6Update on Regional 5-Year Plan to Prevent & End Homelessness and County Consolidated Planning
Process
Eric shared a background of the development to the Regional 5-Year Plan update. The regional Continuum of
Care (CoC) Board is leading the plan update; the city is involved with CoC board and several sub-committees.
The Spokane County Consolidated Plan is also being updated. While this plan is separate from the Regional 5-
Year Plan, there is some overlap in their goals and housing/homeless service provider funding. The city has been
providing assistance to the County by soliciting public input from Spokane Valley residents on the Consolidated
Plan.
There was discussion about the upcoming release of the draft Consolidated plan for review and input from
stakeholders. Gloria remarked that guidance from the State is scheduled to be posted very soon and will include
some changes to recommended task force composition. She emphasized that the 5-Year Plan is a requirement of
the State in order to receive funding and having an updated Consolidated plan is a requirement of Housing &
Urban Development (HUD). Members were asked to complete the Consolidated Plan survey.
7Regional Coordination Update
Gloria spoke about ongoing coordination between the City of Spokane, City of Spokane Valley, and Spokane
County regarding the possibility of forming a regional authority for the purpose of addressing homelessness. She
said there has been a lot of discussion about the development of a regional homelessness entity. Staff from the
various agencies were tasked with researching how multi-jurisdictional coordination would continue in the event
of staff turnover and to identify a consistent and/or consolidated RFP process between organizations.
The group also discussed:
The possibility of providing services as if there was a regional model without actually creating a regional
model.
Collecting data equally across all jurisdictions and a data sharing agreement with Spokane Regional
Health District.
Spokane County is developing a budget spreadsheet tracking the homeless services portfolio to identify
which homelessness intervention types are being used. This information in draft format will be
presented at the next regional coordination meeting for input.
A review of the interagency funding tool.
The need for additional communications with the public on how to engage and get involved.
Plan for inclement winter weather and activation thresholds.
Information about the scattered shelter model.
Spokane Valley staff and Officer Pratt will be presenting outreach results to the City Council on Oct. 29.
Development of the SRHD online dashboard, which will be available to the public.
8ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:05pm
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force 09.26.24 Meeting Minutes - DRAFT Page 2 of 2
AGENDA ITEM 5
10210 E Sprague Avenue |Spokane Valley WA 99206
Phone: (509) 720-5000 |Fax: (509) 720-5075 |www.spokanevalleywa.gov
SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
Meeting Date:October24, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: 5 Year Homeless Plan and Consolidated Plan update –Ami Manning
BACKGROUND:Both the Regional 5-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and the Spokane County Consolidated
Plan (which also runs for five years) are undergoing revisions for the years 2025-2029. As part of this work, organizers
have been soliciting and facilitatingcommunity input and participation to help form priorities for the new plans.
The Regional 5-Year Plan to Prevent & End Homelessness is required to spend both state and federal dollars related to
homelessness, including the recording fee dollars that the City uses to fund outreach and shelter bed contracts. The5-
Year Plan is being developed under leadership of the regional Continuum of Care board (CoC). The City participates in the
CoC, both at the board level and in the sub-committees where much of the input form stakeholders is collected. The City
currently uses the regional 5-Year Plan to comply with state laws but could create and use a plan of the City’s own making
in the future if desired.The revised 5-Year Plan is due no later than December 2025.
The County Consolidated Plan is required for jurisdictions that spend federal dollars sent to communities related to
housing, homelessness, and community development. This is separate from the 5-Year Plan described above, but there
is overlap between the goals, and funding for service providers in the housing/homeless field. With the County taking the
lead, City staff have been assisting in organizing events and soliciting feedback from Spokane Valley residents that will be
used to help form priorities for funding for the next five years. The funding sources governed by the Consolidated Plan
include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and Emergency
Services Grant (ESG) funds.
The City supported an application from the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium (SLIHC) for funding from the
Washing Department of Commerce to help pay for staff time focused on coordinating the efforts of these two separate
but related planning processes. SLIHC is using the award to help pay the salary of a staff member who is involved in these
regional efforts, helping to improve coordination and collaboration. The ultimate goal is for these two plans to support
the goals of each other and produce more efficient and effective use of resources region wide.
th
The Washington Department of Commerce released new guidance for communities on October 15. This new guidance
will shape the next 5 Year Plan to end homelessness and mayhave an impact on the City’s Task Force and how it operates
as well, particularly if the Task Force were to recommend the city create its own 5-Year Plan. Ami Manning with SLICH
and the Land Bank will present on some of the changes in the new guidance.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:Discussion only
STAFF CONTACT: Eric Robison, Homeless & Housing Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:5 Year Homeless Plan update slide deck, 2025-30 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidancedoc.
Housing Division
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS
HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
2025-2030 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidance
Table of Contents
Table of Contents....................................................................................................................................................................1
Background...............................................................................................................................................................................1
Research, evaluations, and reports to inform local plans.............................................................................................2
Requirements...........................................................................................................................................................................3
Components...........................................................................................................................................................................3
Process...................................................................................................................................................................................5
Reporting...................................................................................................................................................................................7
Annual report on the local plan...........................................................................................................................................7
Annual report on expenditures...........................................................................................................................................7
Glossary.....................................................................................................................................................................................8
Background
Washington statelaw requires that each local homeless housing task force develop and recommend to its
local government legislative authority a five-yearlocalhomeless housing plan("local plan")for its jurisdictional
1
area.The local plan provides goals, strategies, activities, performance measures and timelines to eliminate
2
homelessness withinthe entire county.
The local plan must be consistent with this local plan guidance issued by the Department of Commerce
3
(Commerce).Commerce last published guidancefor the planning period 2019-2024 in December 2018. In
preparation for the next planning cycle, Commerce has prepared this guidance for counties, cities and local
homeless housing task forces to support alignment between state and local homeless housing efforts.
Beginning October 2024 through June 2026, Commerce has contracted with a consultant to provide support
and technical assistance to local governments with preparing their local plans in accordance with this
guidance. Commerce also has funding available for local governments who would like to engage a consultant
to assist in developing or updating their local plans.
There are several ways to meet the local homeless housing planrequirement:
Develop a new local plan consistent with this state guidance
1
RCW 43.185C.050, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185C.050
2
RCW 43.185C.080 provides additional requirements when a city asserts responsibility for homeless response within its borders, and
does not intend to adopt the county plan to guide its response efforts,https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185C.080
3
RCW 43.185C.160, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185C.160
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
1
2.0
Develop an addendum to an existing plan to fulfill the missing elements required by this state guidance.
Anaddendum issubject to the "Requirements" included in this guidance.
In cases where the existing local plan uses different language and structure, but is otherwise
consistent, develop a written explanation mapping the current local plan language and structure to this
guidance.
While counties (and applicable cities) may delegatethe preparation and adoption of their respective local
4
plans, they maintain the ultimate responsibility for the homeless housing program withintheir borders.Where
necessary this guidance clearly delineates between counties and cities. Otherwise, Commerce uses the term
"local government" to refer to:
Any local governmental entity leadingthejurisdictional response to homelessness: a county, city, special purpose
district OR any governmental entity leading thejurisdictional response to homelessness viainterlocal agreement or
memorandum of understanding.
Research, evaluations, and reports to inform local plans
Commerce encourageslocal governments to review and reference the following reports, studies, and
evaluationswhen preparing their local plans. These documents contain recommendations to address
homelessness and housing insecurityapplicable to local homeless crisis response systems:
USInteragency Council on Homelessness's Strategic Plan "All In"
William R. Ruckelshaus Center's "Pathways to Housing Security Report"Year 3
"Homeless Service Provider Trauma Study" prepared by Uncommon Bridges (Building Changes)
"Homeless Service Provider WorkforceStudy" prepared by Uncommon Bridges (Building Changes)
"California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness", University of California San
Francisco
"Homelessness is a Housing Problem" by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Aldern
SAMSHA evidence based practices documents on Permanent Supportive Housing
SAMHSA catalog of evidencebased practices for people experiencing homelessness
Commerce's Permanent Supportive Housing Toolkit--
Washington State Department of Commerce
"Assessment of the housing needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and NativeHawaiians in
Washington", report to the Washington State Legislature
4
Ibid.
2025-2030LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
2
Requirements
Components
Planning period
The local plan must cover the five-year periodfrom2025to 2030, unless otherwise approved in writing by
Commerce.
Plan objectives
The local plan must include the 2024-2029 StateHomeless Housing StrategicPlanobjectives:
Promote an equitable, accountable and transparent homeless crisis response system
Strengthen the homeless service provider workforce
Prevent episodes of homelessness whenever possible
Prioritize assistance based on the greatest barriers to housing stability and the greatest risk of harm
Seek to house everyone in a stable setting that meets their needs
Local plans may include additional objectivesdeveloped by local government and local homeless housing task
forces.
All local plan objectives must have specific strategies or actions to achieve them, timelines for completion and
measures of success or performance.
Note: Please review the2024-2029 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan objectivesto learn how Commerce
will work to achieve the same objectives.
For local governmentsthat have adopted a new or revisedlocal plan prior to the publication of this guidance,
Commerce requiresthat local governments:
Develop and publish written explanationsmapping the current local plan language and structure to the
requirements in this guidance; OR
Adopt addendum that incorporates the requirements fromthis guidance into the local plan.
Estimates of service levels
Purpose:To provide baseline information about activities and investments to eliminate homelessness within
the jurisdiction.
The local plan must provide a summary of current investments to address homelessness and housing
instability by project typeand by fundingsource. For this component, the local plan mustuse HMIS project
type definitions.The local plan must alsouse an analysis tool prepared by Commerce's consultant based on
the annual Golden Report produced by Commerce for the state fiscal year 2024 (to be published in winter
2025).
Local governments willreportchanges from the baselinein theirannual reports(due each December).
Survey of fund sources for homeless housing assistance programs and capital
projects
Purpose:To communicate resources available to the local government, whether actual or potential, to
implement the local homeless housing plan and support the local homeless crisis response system.
2025-2030LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
3
The local plan must include a listing of all fund sources, actual or potential, available to the local government
and the local homeless housing task force that could be used for homeless housing and assistance.
At a minimum, the plan must provide information related to the following:
Local funds authorized by RCW 82.14.460 (Mental Health Sales and Use Tax)
Local funds authorized by RCW 82.14.530 (Housing and Related Services Sales and Use Tax)
Local funds authorized by RCW 82.14.540 (Affordable and Supportive Housing Sales and Use Tax)
Local funds authorized by RCW 84.52.105 (Local Housing Levies)
Local funds authorized by RCW 36.22.250 (Document Recording Surcharge, Local Portion)
Consolidated Homeless Grant/System Demonstration Grant (including Housing and Essential Needs)
Emergency Solutions Grant
Community Development Block Grant
Continuum of Care Grant (except Balance of State counties)
Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project Grants (except Balance of State counties)
Note: For reference, the Washington State Department of Revenue provides the "Local Sales Tax Distributions
Tool" and the "Local taxing district levy detail".
For the fund sources listed previously, the local plan must document whether a local government does not
meet the required criteria. Unless otherwise approved by Commerce, the local plan must include this
information using the following table format:
Fund source Source Status Allowable uses Amount Actual/projected
received SFY24 received SFY25
Definitions of table headers:
Fund source: Official name of the fund source per law, regulation or funder
Source: Private, local, state, or federal source
Status: Not eligible/NA, not receiving/collecting, receiving/collecting, expired
Allowable uses: Operating, and/or capital
Amount received SFY24: Total dollars received from the fund source during state fiscal year 2024
Actual/Projected received SFY25: Total dollars received or expected from fund source during state
fiscal year 2025
Local plans may add other information about funding sources beyond the items above.
Estimates of permanent and emergency housing needs
Purpose: To support a clear linkage between long-term land use planning and the development of homeless
housing capital projects in consultation with homeless housing service providers.
Local government departments must work collaboratively with other county homeless housing staff and area
nonprofits to develop estimates of:
Future permanent housing need for households making 0-30% of the Area Median Income (AMI);
Future permanent housing need operated as a Permanent Supportive Housing model for households
making 0-30% of the AMI; AND
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
4
Future emergency housing need (i.e., emergency shelter and emergency housing).
The local plan must derive these estimates from Commerce's work pursuant to RCW 36.70A.070(2)(a). Such
estimates must provide for the entire geographic jurisdictions covered by the local plan, except as otherwise
provided in statute, and may break down the estimates by city, urban growth area, or other geography. The
local plan must include a five-year estimate in line with the local plan planning period and may include the full
20-year projection of needed housing units provided by Commerce.
Note: For reference, Commerce provides guidance for cities and counties on establishing housing targets for
their communities in their comprehensive plan updates. See: "Updating GMA Housing Elements - Washington
State Department of Commerce", and final projections of housing needs using the "Housing All Planning Tool
(HAPT)".
Prioritization criteria of homeless housing capital projects
Purpose: To support the development of homeless housing capital developments that comply with the Growth
Management Act and local comprehensive plans on sites with compatible uses, appropriate infrastructure and
necessary amenities.
Where local homeless housing plans identify actions related to the pre-development, development or
construction of homeless housing capital projects, the local plan must identify guiding principles for all
projects, such as consistency with local plans and regulations including comprehensive plans, zoning, and
countywide planning policies and state laws.
The plan must include the criteria and procedure used to evaluate prospective homeless housing capital
projects. Such criteria must include all relevant factors that the homeless housing task force and local
government would take into consideration when prioritizing homeless housing capital projects for public
investment (e.g. new construction, expansion, renovation, rehabilitation or preservation).
Documentation of public engagement
The local plan must include a record of public engagement and outreach efforts that supported its
development and finalization.
Process
Notice of plan development
The local government must publish a notice announcing the development of its next local plan on its website
and social media. The notice must include the expected date of adoption by the local government.
Key stakeholder participation and collaboration
The following stakeholders must be included in the development of the local plan pursuant to RCW
43.185C.080 and RCW 43.185C.160:
The two largest cities within the county or multi-county region, except where a city has asserted
responsibility pursuant to RCW 43.185C.160
In cases where cities have:
Asserted responsibility for homeless response with their borders pursuant to RCW 43.185C.160;
AND
Have elected to prepare their own local plan separate from the county or multi-county plan.
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
5
Such cities must coordinate with and include representatives of the local government coordinating the
county or multi-county homeless response in the development of the city's local plan prior to its
adoption.
One or more representatives from each of the following groups or organizations must be invited to
participate in the development of the local plan:
Individuals with lived experience of homelessness (not including those already participating as
members of the local homeless housing task force)
A representative of a Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization OR a Managed Care
Organization
A representative from a By and For organization within the local government's jurisdiction
(Commerce may grant an exemption if a local government cannot fulfill this requirement)
Emergency shelter operators
Domestic violence/sexual assault shelter and housing providers
Homeless outreach providers
Rental subsidy administrators
Permanent Supportive Housing providers and operators
Coordinated entry staff
The list of representatives and their participation must be documented in the local plan.
The local government must offer compensation to individuals who qualify as low-income or have experienced
homelessness and participate in the development of the local plan. The provision of compensation must
closely follow the State Office of Equity's guidelines.
Notice of public hearing
The local government must hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the final local plan. Notice of a public
hearing must be published at least 30 days in advance of the adoption of the final local plan in the local
newspaper of record, on the local government's website and on its social media accounts.
The local plan must document good faith efforts to distribute that public notice to people who have
experienced homelessness and housing instability.
Plan finalization and adoption
Following applicable law and these guidelines, the local government must:
Ensure the local plan is adopted
Submit the final local plan or addendum to Commerce no later than December 2025
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
6
Reporting
Annual report on the local plan
Per RCW 43.185C.045(3), local governments are responsible for annually reporting updates to Commerce on
the status of their local
condition of homelessness in its jurisdiction, its performance in meeting the goals in its local homeless
each year and will be posted on Commerce's website.
Annual report on expenditures
Commerce will continue to post information on the local
government's homelessness spending from all sources by project during the prior state fiscal year. This is
called the Annual Expenditure Report and Commerce sends a document to lead entities after the end of each
fiscal year for review. The Annual Expenditure Report is posted on .
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
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Glossary
Addendum: A supplement to the plan
By and for organization: By-and-For Organizations are operated by and for the communities they serve. Their
primary mission and history is serving a specific community. They are culturally based, directed, and
substantially controlled by individuals from the population they serve. At the core of their programs, these
In the affordable housing context, these communities must have demonstrated disproportionate
representation in homelessness, housing instability, and housing affordability. Based on national research and
state-wide data, the following groups or communities have demonstrated disproportionate representation in
homelessness, housing instability and housing affordability:
Black, Indigenous and People of Color including people identified as socially disadvantaged as defined
in 13 CFR Sec. 124.103.
People with disabilities
People who are part of the d/Deaf and hard of hearing community
People with behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorder
People who identify as LGBTQIA+
Survivors of family violence and/or intimate partner violence
Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals
Undocumented individuals, immigrants and refugees, and mixed-immigration-status families and
communities
Federally recognized Tribes and Nations are sovereign governments and are not considered By-and-For
organizations.
Comprehensive plan: a generalized coordinated land use policy statement of the governing body of a county
or city that is adopted pursuant to Chapter 36.70A RCW.
Emergency housing: Temporary indoor accommodations for individuals or families who are homeless or at
imminent risk of becoming homeless that is intended to address the basic health, food, clothing and personal
hygiene needs of individuals or families. Emergency housing may or may not require occupants to enter into a
lease or an occupancy agreement.
Growth Management Act: A series of state statutes, first adopted in 1990, that requires fast-growing cities and
counties to develop a comprehensive plan to manage their population growth. It is primarily codified under
Chapter 36.70A RCW, although it has been amended and added to in several other parts of the RCW.
HB 1220 (2021): More information can be found on Commerce's website.
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
8
Local government: Any municipal corporation leading the local jurisdictional response to homelessness: a
county, city special purpose district OR any governmental entity leading the local jurisdictional response to
homelessness through aninterlocal agreement or a memorandum of understanding.
Local homeless housing plan: A plan aimed at eliminating homelessness prepared by a local homeless
housing task force and recommended for adoption to its local government legislative authority.
Local homeless housing task forces: A body created by a county or city government to develop a five-year
homeless housing plan addressing short-term and long-term housing for homeless households.
Objective: a component of the local plan that describes an aim, goal, or end of action that would result in the
reduction of or elimination of homelessness.
Planning period: The period covered by a planning activity. For local homeless housing plans, this is 2025-
2030.
State Plan, State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan: A plan prepared and published by Commerce that outlines
statewide goals and performance measures.
State fiscal year, SFY: the state's 12-month accounting period running from July 1 to June 30 of the following
year.
2025-2030 LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN GUIDANCE
9
AGENDA ITEM 6
10210 E Sprague Avenue |Spokane Valley WA 99206
Phone: (509) 720-5000 |Fax: (509) 720-5075 |www.spokanevalleywa.gov
SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
Meeting Date:October24, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: City property RFP update
BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year the cityused funds earmarked for affordable housing to purchaseapproximately 1.35acres of land at
rd
the corner of E 3Ave and S Carnahan Rd. This property is located near transit, groceries, other services, and has easy
access. An existing home on the property was relocated, and the foundation will be demolished in early November. The
st
City also owns an additional parcel (.15 acres) located at 4908 E 1Ave. Both parcels are located in the Corridor Mixed
Use (CMU) zone, which allows for some of the most flexible uses and housing types permitted in the city, including mixed
use developments, multi-family, etc. Conversations with local providers of affordable housing confirmed that the
availability of land continues to be a barrier. Providers were especially interested in grant opportunities, such as if the
City leased or deeded the land, so that the provider could more readily develop the land to offer affordable housing.
Per Council direction, the City will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for mixed income housing development projects to
house seniors, missing middle and/or provide homeownership opportunities.
As part of the planning for this RFP, the city is coordinating with Spokane County’s Housing & Community Development
(HCD) department. The HCD department is planning on issuing their annual RFP on November 15through mid January.
City and county staff are coordinating to ensure that applicants can potentially leverage both opportunities at the same
time.The City’s RFP will be released the week of October 28 and will be due the third week of January.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:D iscussion only
STAFF CONTACT: Eric Robinson, Homeless & Housing Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:None
AGENDA ITEM 7
10210 E Sprague Avenue |Spokane Valley WA 99206
Phone: (509) 720-5000 |Fax: (509) 720-5075 |www.spokanevalleywa.gov
SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
Meeting Date:October24, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Outreach Team update
BACKGROUND:The City signed a contract with Frontier Behavioral Health to provide homeless outreach services, in
partnership with the existing Homeless Outreach Officer(s) and Housing & Homeless Coordinator. Together, this
represents the City’s Homeless Outreach Team.
With one quarter of thecontract having elapsed, the Team will be presenting a program update at the Council meeting
th
on Tuesday, October 29. First quarter data from FBH shows:
46 unduplicated contacts
29 housing resources provided (includes all types –shelter, permanent housing, transitional housing, etc)
9 placed in permanent housing
9 received mental health services
2 received Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services
1 accessed additional funding/Medicaid
7 referrals to additional community resources
Because FBHhad to recruit, hire, and train 1.5FTE positions for the contract, the above numbers represent less than full
staffing for less than a full quarter. Even so, the results are very promising, and additional data collected after the team
reached full staffing levels will be collected and shared to demonstratethe impactof theoutreachteam. Additionally,
other data recorded by the Homeless Outreach Officer(s) and Housing & Homeless Coordinator are currently collected
separately, and together provide an even more detailed view of how the City is responding to homelessness-related
issues in the community.
The current Homeless Outreach Officer, Officer Pratt, was recently promoted to Detective, and will be leaving the position
in the coming weeks. Officer Horton has been selected as the next Homeless Outreach Officer. Officer Horton has already
begun training directly with the Officer Pratt, meeting partners, gaining access to the City’s data tracking tools, and
directly participating in the work of the Outreach Team. Officer Horton also has some experience with the work and
populations we serve, as her previous patrol duties were near the western edge of the city where there has historically
been a lot of homelessness-related activity.
A second Homeless Outreach Officer has been selected, and should be joining the Outreach Team in early 2025. This
second position will give the City seven day/week coverage, which willmean improved continuity and more responsive
follow-up to the needs of Spokane Valley residents.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:Discussion only
STAFF CONTACT: Eric Robison –Housing and Homeless Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:None