Spokane punts measure mitigating impact of homeless shelters, services on neighbors

(The Center Square) – The Spokane City Council deferred an ordinance on Monday that would have required homeless service providers to uphold higher standards and communication with nearby neighborhoods.

The legislation came at the request of Councilmember Michael Cathcart. It would’ve put more guidelines around opening comprehensive support services, such as addiction and emergency housing services. However, it could also make opening these services much more difficult.

Much of the council noted the potential consequence as Councilmember Zack Zappone attempted to defer the measure back to the committee of origin. In doing so, he requested that the council push it until after the upcoming community roundtables regarding several deferred homelessness ordinances. However, that schedule is tentative and has no end in sight.

“It’s an understatement to say this is gross; we are facing an emergency in northeast Spokane,” Cathcart said. “The intent is to pursue an agenda here by delaying this until, you know, after the election, conveniently.”

Cathcart has repeatedly voiced support for increasing the obligations around good neighbor agreements, as he feels the services are being disproportionately placed in his district. One of his constituents even testified about that issue during the council’s public forum opportunity later that night.

Local law already provides an opportunity for good neighbor agreements regarding homeless shelters, but only city-owned facilities. This ordinance would modify the code to add city-funded comprehensive support services.

“There is a rush to [relocate] Compassionate Addiction Treatment in [the] Chief Gary [neighborhood], and what do you know, I’ve got an ordinance that might put some process around that,” Cathcart continued. “Might put some thoughtfulness around that, might give the neighborhoods an opportunity to weigh in, might give the Equity Subcommittee an opportunity to do their role and do the analysis on whether or not this is an appropriate location.”

The current city code doesn’t explicitly define good neighbor agreements. However, the council could pass the ordinance at a later date. In that case, monthly meetings will be required with the local neighborhood council, facility operators, a business district representative, immediate neighbors, and several representatives from the city.

The ordinance also adds other commitments, such as developing procedures for resolving issues, maintaining public safety and reducing crime. Another would require the Equity Subcommittee to evaluate strategies for mitigating and preventing nuisance/criminal activity in the area and review the proposed good neighbor agreement prior to funding a facility.

While most of the council initially wanted to table the ordinance until an unforeseen date, Cathcart and Councilmember Jonathan Bingle wanted a set date, given the uncertainty of how long the roundtables would last. The first is on Sept. 10, with more following every three weeks.

“Oh, so not like the roundtable tomorrow, but like the roundtables ethereal,” Bingle asked. “Ok, yeah; then that’s truly terrible.”

Councilmember Paul Dillon, who often sits on the opposite side of the issue, backed up Cathcart’s ordinance and voiced his support for the provisions around the Equity Subcommittee.

“Maybe I’m naive; I don’t think we’re often as far apart on some of these issues,” Dillon said, “so I would rather see a two-week deferral.”

The council ultimately voted to defer the ordinance back to the Finance & Administration Committee, which will meet next on Sept. 23. Once in committee, the council can make modifications and send it back to the legislative agenda for a vote at a later date.