HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-2025_HHTF_Minutes
SPOKANE VALLEY HOMELESS HOUSING TASK FORCE
RegularMeeting Minutes| September 25, 2025| 2:00 pm
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 2:03 pm
2 ATTENDANCE: In attendance were:
Task Force Voting MembersGuests (in person)
Mayor Pam Haley, City of Spokane Valley None
George Dahl, Spokane County
Lance Beck, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber Guests (online)
Kelly Keenan, Spokane Housing Authority Sherri Gangituno
Joseph Ghodsee, Community Member
Allisha Corley, Community Member City Staff
Lisa Miller, Lex Law GroupEric Robison, Homeless & Housing Coordinator
Sarah Farr, Accounting & Finance Program Manager
Task Force Non-Voting Members Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
Gloria Mantz, City of Spokane Valley, City Services Administrator
3GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY-
Chair Haley called for public comments. There were none.
Due to a lack of quorum at the time, the agenda moved to informational items.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
61406 Funds –Recommendations for Possible Uses
Eric provided a background of sales tax funds available from Substitute House Bill 1406, which permits local
jurisdictions to use a portion of sales tax to fund affordable or supportive housing. In 2020, the City Council
authorized the City to begin collecting this tax, which is a rebate of state sales tax to cities and counties. The city
collects approximately $200,000 each year; the 2025 end balance is estimated to be $1.2 million. Per state law,
this funding can only be used for:
Acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing
Funding operations and maintenance costs of new units
Rental assistance for persons at or below 60% AMI
The group discussed other possible uses. Comments included:
The need for expandedinclement/severe weather housing
Assistance in developinghousing cooperatives
Ongoing need for rental assistance in the region
Funding for the Spokane Housing Authority rental voucher program is flat and not able to keep pace
Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force 09.25.2025 Meeting MinutesPage 1 of 2
with rent increases
Long waiting list for rental vouchers
The city may want to consider setting some of the funds aside in case an opportunity arises, such as a
parcel of land becoming available to purchase
Explore contracting with local businesses or churches for emergency shelter space during severe
weather
The Spokane Valley City Council’s goal is to lift people out of poverty, not just put a band aid on the
problem
There is no deadline for obligating the available funds. The task force will continue discussing and developing
options. At a later date the group will make a recommendation for consideration by the City Council.
Additional members arrived and reached a quorum, so the agenda returned to action items.
ACTION ITEMS
4Approval of August 2025 Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously.
5Outreach Program Update – Animal Boarding and Housing Assistance Funding
Eric reviewed the outcomes of the Spokane Valley Outreach Team from 7/1/24 to 6/30/25 in terms of number of
individuals contacted, the number placed in housing, housing resources provided, referred to mental health
services, etc. A key factor in the success over the past year was funding from the Healthcare Authority, of which
$80,000 went to households in Spokane Valley for costs associated with obtaining and retaining housing.
For the 7/1/25 to 6/30/26 time period, there will be only $73,333 of funding distributed to the outreach
program. Staff recommends requesting $30,000 to ensure there is sufficient funding to help clients get housed.
The group also discussed pet boarding for people who want to receive treatment or go to a shelter, but are
reluctant due to lack of care for their pet cat or dog. The outreach team has collaborated with Spokanimal on an
agreement to provide pet boarding for individuals accepting treatment. Spokanimal has agreed to allow animals
to stay for up to 45 days at the cost of $30/day for dogs and $20/day for cats, with no cost for the first 14 days.
FBH currently has three households utilizing pet boarding for a total of 11 pets. The outreach team estimates
that an additional $20,000 per year could be needed to provide animal boarding so that clients can accept
services.
Members discussed pet fostering options and the challenges with informal fostering organizations.
Lisa Miller made a motion to recommend allocating up to $50,000 for pet boarding and housing assistance.
Joseph Ghodsee seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
9ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm.
Julie Meyers-Lehman, Executive Assistant
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