Spokane citizens seek to bring commonsense solutions to homelessness crisis
Spokane provides the latest example of how citizens are forced to correct politicians’ failed policies because stubborn elected officials refuse to admit that their extremist, “Housing First” policies have made problems worse.
Housing First is the policy strategy that provides free taxpayer-funded housing for homeless individuals regardless of their addiction, mental health, or criminal status. Yet the data clearly reveals that Housing First has been ineffective as Washington’s homeless numbers have increased a disheartning 80% since it was implemented in 2013. This has led many homeless experts to suggest that a new strategy, based on treatment/recovery, be adopted.
A non-partisan effort has been announced to encourage Spokane County and its cities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) stating that treatment-based efforts receive top priority to combat homelessness. Those behind the MOU are seeking to have local jurisdictions support treatment options to ensure federal dollars continue to fund local homeless strategies.
Like many jurisdictions, the Spokane region is dependent on federal money to fund its homelessness programs. Yet, a recent Executive Order from President Trump could threaten this funding since the City of Spokane has previously refused to abandon its controversial Housing First policies. The July Executive Order instructs federal agencies to redirect funds away from Housing First efforts and send that money to programs aimed at providing addiction and mental health treatment for homeless individuals.
While local progressive politicians complained about the change in the federal approach, Spokane is proof that Housing First has failed and that a new strategy based on treatment/recovery is warranted. In 2015 Spokane had 1,034 homeless individuals. After a decade of Housing First policies, the city’s homeless population increased 74.5% to 1,806 – this increase is larger than even King County’s 68.4% tragic increase during the same period.
A new report reveals that one of the major factors why Housing First is failing to address the homeless problem is that it appears to be bringing in homeless individuals from other states who are attracted to the free housing/services and the relaxed drug laws. A survey in the report found that more than 50% were homeless elsewhere first and 63% have never had another family member in the region.
Spokane residents began to express concerns over the region’s homeless strategy during the Covid pandemic when state officials allowed a large and violent homeless encampment to grow on Washington State Department of Transportation property next to I-90 in Downtown Spokane (misnamed “Camp Hope”). This 800-person encampment was so dangerous it was labeled a “chronic nuisance” by local law enforcement and equated to the “Lord of the Flies on drugs” by its inhabitants.
Because the state and the liberal controlled city council failed to address residents’ concerns about the encampment, a 2023 citizen initiative (Propisition1) was overwhelmingly passed (with 75% support) to restrict where homeless encampments could be built. Unfortunately, the Washington State Supreme Court found an obscure administrative reason to strike down the initiative.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown then promised to pass a new ordinance that addressed the public’s concerns. Yet, the final version was extremely watered down, and law enforcement has said the new law has made no difference and cannot be enforced in any practical manner.
The region-wide MOU was first suggested by moderate Spokane City Councilmember Jonathan Bingle. Since then, business leaders and law enforcement have been crafting the legislation, which will soon be officially presented to Spokane County and 12 area cities, including Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, Cheney, and Medical Lake.
Along with a greater emphasis on treatment, the MOU also addresses other federal concerns such as accountability, open drug use, and obstruction of public rights-of-ways.
After final language for the MOU is scrutinized by attorneys, it will be sent for approval to Spokane County, the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Deer Park, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spangle, Spokane, and Spokane Valley, as well as the towns of Fairfield, Latah, Rockford, and Waverly.
While the MOU should receive strong support from city councils where moderates are in control, the fight will likely come down to the Spokane City Council, where the progressives have a 5 to 2 advantage. The council’s progressives will have to defend their expensive Housing First policies, which have led to more people suffering on the streets.
Those behind the Spokane Memorandum of Understanding are part of the expanding public frustration over the state’s growing homeless numbers. Billions in taxpayer money is spent, yet there is no accountability for where it goes and why homeless figures continue to increase. A recent statewide survey from Napolitan News Service/RMG Research found that 80% of Washington voters believe that a treatment-based approach is the best way to help those who are suffering on our streets. Clearly, the public believes a decade of failure and thousands of lost lives is enough proof that Housing First is an expensive and ineffective homeless policy
ChangeWA will continue to follow this story to help hold our local officials accountable and finally end the massive homeless suffering that is taking place in our state due to failed homeless policies.