08-2024 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
REGULAR MEETINGAGENDA
Friday, August 9, 2024 | 9:00a.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 May 10, 2024 and June 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 2
INFORMATION AND DISUCSSION ITEMS
5.Regional 5-Year Plan to Prevent & End Homelessness -update Page 7
6.Homeless Outreach Contract -update Page 16
7.Housing RFP -update Page 17
8.Adjournment
Meeting September 13, 2024
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SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
RegularMeeting Minutes| May 10, 2024| 9:00am
at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave, Room N212 and on Zoom
1 CALL TO ORDER: Chair MayorPam Haleycalled the meeting to order at 9:05am
2 ATTENDANCE: In attendance were:
Task Force MembersGuests (in-person)
Lance Beck, Spokane Valley ChamberOfficer Josh Pratt, Spokane Valley
George Dahl, Spokane CountyChris McKinney, Spokane County
Mayor Pam Haley, Spokane ValleyJennifer Calvert
John Parker, Central Valley School Dist.
StaffGuests (online)
Gloria Mantz, City Services AdministratorJennifer Wilcox
Eric Robison, Housing & Homeless CoordinatorGrace Vera
Sarah Farr, Budget AnalystTimothy Clouser
Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy AttorneyKarin Morris
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
3 GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
Chair Haley called for public comments. Ms. Wilcox thanked the Task Force members for their work in
helping to solve homelessness in Spokane Valley.
ACTION ITEMS
4 Request for Proposals: Homeless Outreach Services
\[public comment opportunity\]
Gloria explained that Spokane Valley Partners (SVP) received HHAA funding in 2022 and 2023 to provide
homeless outreach services in Spokane Valley by contract which was scheduled to go through 6/30/24.
On 3/5/24 SVP notified the city that they would no longer be able to fulfill the contract due to staffing
issues. On 5/8/24 the City released a RFP for new service providers and received proposals from Frontier
Behavioral Health and Salvation Army.
HHAA Task Force members Daniel Aga was scheduled to assist in the provider interviews, but at the last
minute was unable to attend. Staff tried to contact Kody Jerred to attend instead buthe was not
available to participate in the interviews because of timing. Due to the urgency of getting replacement
providers in place, staff proceeded with the interviews.
Officer Pratt provided an overview of the homelessness outreachteamprocess. He hopes to pick up
Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force 05.10.24Meeting Minutes - DRAFTPage 1 of 3
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where the outreach team left off with new providers. Eric spoke about the existing outreach teams from
Frontier and Salvation Army, the levels at which the city currently interacts with both organizations, and
opportunities for improved communications.
Gloria brought attention to the interview summary sheets; she said that staff has recommended Frontier.
Officer Pratt spoke about Frontier’s mental health services program.
There was discussion about the current funding environment and future funding source alignment. The
group compared staffing levels of the prior outreach teams from SVP and 1.5 FTE proposed staffing level
with Frontier.
It was noted that the SVP outreach team was funded through a grant; this process is a contract
arrangement so the city will have more hands-on oversight. Lance Beck commented that he would
encourage the outreach program to expand both in staff and scope as soon as is feasible because the
homelessness crisis is growing rapidly.
Lance Beck made a motion to recommend the Spokane Valley City Council award the Homeless
Outreach Services contract to Frontier Behavioral Health, using the Alternative Budget option. John
Parker seconded.
Mayor Haley called for public comments. There were none.
Motion passed unanimously.
It was suggested that the difference in staffing levels be brought to the attention of Council when they
are asked to take action.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
5 5-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness Update
Eric stated that, as previously discussed, a 5-year homeless housing plan is required by the state in order
to be eligible to receive Homeless Housing Assistance Act (HHAA) funding. Currently, Spokane County,
the City of Spokane and the Spokane City/County Continuum of Care are working on updating the
County’s 5-Year Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.
He spoke about plan development guidance from the WA Dept of Commerce and noted that December
2025 is the deadline to have a plan in place. He said even if Spokane Valley decided to develop its own
plan, the city is still part of the Spokane County Consolidated Plan and 5-Year Plan, so adopting that plan
as the city plan may be a viable option. Eric spoke about ongoing collaboration with those jurisdictions
and reported that the group developing the plan update is seeking feedback from all stakeholders.
George Dahl shared information about how Spokane County is evaluating the layers of collective
community needs. Gloria asked members to review the draft plan and share their thoughts.
The group discussed the pros and cons of developing an independent Spokane Valley 5-Year plan.
Members commented about the improved jurisdictional collaboration happening at the regional level,
the needs for greater representation of Spokane Valley of various regional homelessness
groups/committees, and staffing levels. Task force members recommended to continue to participate
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regionally and encouraged theparticipation indevelopment of a regional plan, rather than separate
plans.
6 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00am.
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force 05.10.24 Meeting Minutes - DRAFT Page 3 of 3
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SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
RegularMeeting Minutes| June 14, 2024| 9:00am
at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave, Room N212 and on Zoom
1 CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair,MayorPam Haley,called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
2 ATTENDANCE: In attendance were:
Task Force MembersGuests (in-person)
Mayor Pam Haley, Spokane Valley (Chair)Chris McKinney, Spokane County
Daniel Aga, Mighty to Save Ministry
John Parker, Central Valley School Dist.Guests (online)
George Dahl, Spokane CountyChris Harbert, Family Promise
Jennifer Wilcox
Staff
Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator
Eric Robison, Housing & Homeless Coordinator
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
3GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY-
Chair Haley called for public comments. There were none.
ACTION ITEMS
4Approval of May 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes
As there was not a quorum, this item was tabled until the next meeting.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
5Regional Collaboration Update
Ms. Mantz shared information about the multi-jurisdictional group consisting of City of Spokane Valley, City of
Spokane, Spokane County, and other entities that met multiple times in 2023 to discuss the possibility of
forming a single organization to address homelessness in the region. The group recommended developing a PDA
structure witha 13-member governing board and a CEO. Discussions were paused in November 2023 but
resumed in May 2024.
Staff from all agencies have been working to coordinate the funding and planning components and there is still a
significant amount of development, including public outreach, to be done.
Members discussed and comments included:
Concerns that staff changes could delay the conversation; there should be an expectation of on-going
collaboration between governmental entities regardless of the specific staff involved.
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Transitional funds and collaborating with non-profit agencies.
City of Spokane leadership seem reluctant to continue the multi-jurisdictional collaboration without a
specific project in mind.
Three key members of the group are no longer involved.
Need for coordination with RFPs in terms of provider response – maybe one RFP instead of each
jurisdiction having their own.
Desire for a MOU, formalizing the partnerships to the regional approach
The City of Spokane plans to close the Trent Ave shelter later this year.
6Outreach Contract Status Update
Mr. Robison provided a background of the need for a new homeless services outreach contract after Partners
Inland Northwest had to terminate participation due to staffing issues. He reported that the Council awarded
the contract to Frontier Behavioral Health (FBH) which will be formalized shortly and expect to be in effect July 1
or earlier. It was suggested to hold an outreach kick-off meeting with FBH and other service providers. Ongoing
regional coordination of services is part of the FBH contract.
7Potential Composition of Permanent Task Force
Mr. Robison explained that the existing task force was created as an interim group from the start. The
Department of Commerce recently released draft guidance 2025-2029 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidance,
which includes requirements for task force composition.
The guidance states that in addition to representation from local governments, the following must sit on the
local homeless housing task force:
A representative of a behavioral health administrative service organization; and
A representative from a “by and for” organization (an organization operated by and for the specific
community they were created to serve) within the lead entity’s jurisdiction; and
One or more representatives from homeless service provider organizations such as emergency shelter
operators, domestic violence/sexual assault shelter and housing providers, homeless outreach providers,
rental subsidy administrators, permanent supportive housing providers/operators and coordinated entry
staff.
The group was asked to start thinking about people or organizations that fit these definitions and that could be
approached to consider membership.
8Family Promise FLASH Program Update
Mr. Chris Harbert reported on the development of the FLASH program, which was developed with the idea that
every family’s needs are different. It is a move away from the traditional shelter model to meeting families
where they’re at and getting them sheltered as quickly as possible. The program is not tied to the federal
definition of homelessness; sometimes they work with families in midst of an eviction process to get them
housing before the eviction occurs. He spoke about their involvement with the school district, which helps
identify needs early on. All families that they help receive two years of follow-up case management. He gave an
overview of funding spent, people served, average costs to prevent a family from becoming homeless, rental
assistance providedand average time to re-housing.
9ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:57 am.
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force 06.14.24 Meeting Minutes - DRAFT Page 2 of 2
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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:August 9, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Regional 5-Year Planupdate
BACKGROUND:The City of Spokane Valley, City of Spokane, Spokane County and the County Continuum of Care(CoC)
are required todevelop and adopta 5-Year Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessnessevery five years. The
Washington Department of Commerce is in the process of finalizing guidance for communities updating their 5-Year
Plans. They expect final guidance by the end of September. This final guidance will impact the development of the 5-Year
Plan significantly, as required Objectives and requirements for the makeup up the Housing & Homeless Task Force will
both be outlined in the guidance.
The current 5-Year Plan is set to expire at the end of 2024. However, Commerce has indicated the deadline to adopt the
new plan will be extended to December of 2026 due to the new guidance that has not been released yet. In preparation
for the drafting of an updatedPlan, the CoC has been collecting feedback from its population-specific sub-committees.
The City of Spokane Valley, Spokane County, the City of Spokane, and the CoC will be collaborating on the different
elements of the plan.
A summary of the feedback provided by the Single Adult Sub-Committee is included in the packet. Feedback is still being
collected from the Youth, Veteran, and Family sub-committees. Feedback will still be valuable moving forward as work
begins on editing the existing plan to incorporate new and updated information, priorities, and policies.
As part of this process, the CoC has developed a new universal assessment tool called the SALA. The tool was developed
and piloted by the current Coordinated Entry lead agencies, which include SNAP for single adults without minors in their
care, Volunteers of America for youth, and Catholic Charities for households that are pregnant or with a minor in their
care. Previously, there were different assessment tools for each of these populations, leading to confusion for providers
when trying to determine who should be served next. A copy of the SALA assessment tool is included in this packet.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None
STAFF CONTACT: Eric Robinson, Homeless & Housing Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:Summary of feedback for 5-Year Plan edits from the Singles Sub-Committee, SALA assessment tool
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SpokaneUniversalAssessment Tool
SALA
MinorsPre-ScreenSection
(Not scoredor asked Unless 13-17 years of age)
A.Canwe talk about the lasttwo weeks?
B.Do you have anyone you cansafely/comfortablystaywith right
now? (No=1pt Youth)
Yes
No
your current physical needsbeingmet? (No=1pt Youth)
C.Are
Yes
No
D.Do you have professional andnatural support systemsinplace? (No=1pt Youth)
Yes
No
Assessment Section
1.Are you currently,
In physical or emotional danger? (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
Experiencing or fleeingDomesticViolence?(Yes=2pt)
Yes
No
Experiencing or fleeing Drug/Human Trafficking? (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
2.Have you everhad a barrier regarding housing thatwas due toany of the following: (One
point per selection with a total of 8 points total)
Race (1pt)
Gender (1pt)
Sexuality(1pt)
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Religion (1pt)
Limited English Proficiency (1pt)
Preschool aged children not in childcare (1pt)
Criminal History-felony (1pt)
Eviction in the last 3 years (1pt)
3.Have you receivedservicesfrom or beeninany of the following systems: (One
point per selection with a total of seven points)
FosterCare(1pt)
Inpatientmentalhealth(1pt)
CPS (1pt)
Jail/Detention(1pt)
Criminal/Juvenile Justice (1pt)
Family Home
Inpatient Substance abuse Treatment
4.Family Specific:
Do you have any minors in your care, pregnant, oranticipate
reunification? (Yes=1pt Family)
Yes
No
Is your family household size 5 or more?(Yes=1pt Family)
Yes
No
5.Educational experience:
Did you or do you currentlyreceive educational support? (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
Whatis your highest level of educationcompleted?(lessthan high school=1pt)
College/Vocational School
Some College/Vocational School
High School
GED
Some high school
Less than high school
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Hashomelessnessaffected your abilitytoattend school regularly?
(Yes=1pt Youth)
Yes
No
6.Do you have any of thefollowing?
Cognitive disabilitythatimpactsdaily living. (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
Physicaldisabilitythatimpactsdaily living. (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
Chronic health condition thatimpactsdailyliving.(Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
Substance Use Disorder that impacts daily living. (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
Mental Health Disorder that impacts daily living (Yes=1pt)
Yes
No
7.What is your current living situation?
Housing category (1pt foreitherCat 1/ Cat 4) or (1pt for youth
ifcat 3)
Cat-1- Literally Homeless
Cat-2- Imminent risk of homelessness
Cat-3- Homeless under other federalstatutes (Mckinney Vento)
Cat-4- Fleeing/Attempting to flee domestic violence
Chronic homelessness?(Yestoeither or both=1pt)
Have you beenhomeless or stayedin a shelter continuously formorethan a year?
In the past 3 years have you had 4 or more experiences with homelessness?
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Scoring Matrix
QuestionAvailable Points
A. 0
B. 1 (Youth)
C. 1 (Youth)
D. 1 (Youth)
1. 4 (All)
2. 8 (All)
3. 7 (All)
4. 2 (Family)
5. 2 (All) (Youth)
6. (All)
7. 1 (All) 1(Youth)
8.1 (All)
Youth (13-17) Singles (18+) Families (HH2+)
Total Possible
2
Score
Score
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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:August 9, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Homeless Outreach Contract
BACKGROUND:Since July 1, theCity of Spokane Valleyhas been contracting with Frontier Behavioral Health(FBH)to
provide homeless outreach services in the city. To provide these services, FBH will be hiring1.5full-time employees (FTEs)
to carry out the work. The first FTE started working onJuly 15and has been trainingalongsideexperienced outreach
team members since that time, including regular work in the field contacting individuals and following up on referrals for
service. FBH is in the process of hiring the remaining .5FTE position.
FBH has reached an agreement with Partners Inland Northwest to rent office space at Partners’ current location, which
provides improved access to food, clothing, referral, and other resources on-site for clients who meet with the FBH team
there. Some remaining outreach supplies from the last contract have been stored at the site and are also available to the
FBH team to use as needed in accordance with the contract.
The entire outreach teammeetsbi-weekly to facilitate communication and follow up on assigned tasks. Additionally, FBH
will be initiating a Spokane Valley-specific case conferencing meeting to convene area partners/providers and coordinate
care for households contacted by the team.
City staff are still in the process of getting the new outreach team connected to the city’s data-collection apps, integrating
them into city processes for responding to community concerns, and familiarizing them with the area hot-spots and
regular clients. Once the FBH has needed access and training to begin collecting data through the city’s apps, we will be
able to begin regularly reviewing program and client data.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None
STAFF CONTACT: Eric Robinson, Homeless & Housing Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:
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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:August 9, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Housing RFPprocess
BACKGROUND:Earlier this year the cityused funds earmarked for affordable housing to purchase approximately 1.35
rd
acres of mostly vacant land at the corner of E 3Ave and S Carnahan Rd. This property is monthly vacant, located near
transitand has easy access. An existing home on the propertyis in the process of being relocated and the foundation will
st
be demolished. TheCity also owns anadditional small parcel (.15 acres) located at 4908 E 1. Both parcels are located in
the city’s 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, cottages, 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. According to HUD, the generally accepted
definition of workforce housing is housing that is affordable for those earning between 80% and 120% ofarea median
income (AMI). Households in workforce housing typically earn too much to qualify for programs under HUD. At the same
time, they are also unable to afford most quality market-rate apartments.Many such households include those employed
in essential sectors that have stagnant wages. Think teachers, police officers, hospital support staff, delivery workers, and
the like. Employees in these sectors may have a difficult time finding adequate housing due tosoaring rent growth in
many markets.” The Council has also voiced support for projects focused onhome ownership opportunities.
As part of the planning for this RFP, the city is also coordinating with Spokane County’s Housing & Community
Development (HCD) department. The HCD department is planning on issuing its own housing-related RFP this fall, so staff
are coordinating in an attempt to ensure that applicants can potentially leverage both opportunities at the same time.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None
STAFF CONTACT: Eric Robinson, Homeless & Housing Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS:Exhibit A – Property Aerial Phot
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Exhibit A – Property Aerial Photo
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