City of Spokane
Community Update
January 25, 2022

#InlandStrong
Snow Zone
See a Pothole, Report It!
It’s pothole season! Winter’s snow, ice, and rain provide the perfect ingredients to make potholes. Our Street Department continues to fill potholes year-round but we need your help. Please continue reporting potholes online, via the MySpokane 311 app, and by phone.

Crews prioritize pothole repairs based on size and location, with the largest potholes on the busiest streets being repaired first.
Your City at Work
Shaping Spokane Housing Q&A
There was a great turnout to the first public virtual open house to learn about housing options and ask questions. A question asked today was “Why do we restrict duplexes in any neighborhood (or townhouses, for that matter). They can powerfully impact housing affordability, infill, increasing the tax base, and creating more walkable neighborhoods.”

Join us for another virtual open house Thursday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. Register here!
Spokane County United Way is offering Free Tax Preparation
On average a family living in Washington State will pay over $300 to file their taxes. Free Tax Preparation is one way the team at Spokane County United Way is helping families in our community keep more of their money.

Download this informational Free Tax Preparation Flyer to learn more about available locations, times, and required documents or visit Spokane County United Way’s website. To make an appointment please call 509-353-4581.
Council Recap
Spokane City Council Member Lori Kinnear recaps the Monday, Jan. 24, virtual Spokane City Council meeting.
SFD Responds to 48,013 Incidents
In 2021, your Spokane Fire Department responded to over 6,000 more incidents than the previous year. SFD is ready to help 24/7.
Give ‘em a Brake
Imagine what it would be like to have a car drive by your desk at 30 mph. This is what City Streets crews experience every day. Please slow down for their safety!
Local COVID-19 Data
For the most recent and local data on cases and outcomes, visit SRHD.org. Track State of Washington information with these interactive dashboards for updates.
All Washington Residents Age 5+ Eligible for Vaccine
All Washingtonians age 5 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Governor and the state Department of Health (DOH) have also prioritized equity issues to ensure vaccine access to populations disproportionately affected by the virus, including communities of color and low-income communities.

The CDC now recommends that everyone ages 18+ receive a COVID-19 booster shot, including those who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. Get more information and read CDC’s media statement.
Local Vaccination Distribution Information
Three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved, and are widely accessible throughout the state. Information on the vaccine and its distribution in Washington is found on the DOH website. Learn more details on the SRHD website.

State COVID-19 Information Hotline
1-800-525-0127 (press #)
  • 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mon.
  • 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tues. - Sun. and holidays 
CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
Currently authorized vaccines in the United States are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published updated interim recommendations for people who have been fully vaccinated. Until more is known and vaccination coverage increases, some prevention measures will continue to be necessary for all people, regardless of vaccination status.
Need Access to Food?
Contact SNAP at (509) 319-3050 or SRTC@snapwa.org

Need Mental Health Help?
Contact 24/7: Frontier Crisis Line (877) 266-1818
Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888

CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200

Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100
Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth.

Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255

Need Resources? 
Call Washington 211 at 2-1-1 or (866) 904-9060 to speak to a local agent
Text your Zip Code to 898-211 or email ew211@incontactmail.com
Apply for Basic Food assistance over the phone!
Access to resources online at: wa211.org
Sign up for their Newsletter!


Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224
Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available.
Resident Assistance
The impacts of COVID have created hardships for people in many ways. The City continues to connect residents with available and eligible resources.
Utility Assistance
The City’s U-Help program provides low-income households with emergency financial assistance to help pay for their City utility bills, which include charges for water, wastewater, stormwater and garbage collection. Through the end of 2021, the program includes additional flexibility to allow more customers to receive help. Assistance is available by calling SNAP at 509-456-SNAP.

Interest-free payment plans are available for residential and commercial customers today. An easy-to-use online form is available on the City’s website.
Rental Assistance
After just eight months since the City’s Emergency Rent Assistance Program started to help landlords and tenants stave off evictions due to hardships caused by the pandemic, nearly all of the $27 million funding has been distributed and allocated.

As a result of 95 percent of the program funding distributed and allocated, the online application portals administered by LiveStories and Family Promise of Spokane were paused Friday, Jan. 21 to new applications.

Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives
The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are over 30 Boards, Commissions and Committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!
The City is accepting applications to fill three at-large vacancies for the Council Districting Board. Individuals selected for these positions will fill one term.

The Council Districting Board is tasked with redistricting the City of Spokane to ensure citizens are receiving equal and accurate representation.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • Candidates must be a registered voter within the City of Spokane.
  • Candidates must be a current resident of the City of Spokane and have maintained a primary residence within the City for the past two consecutive years.

No member of the Council Districting Board shall:
  • Have been a register lobbyist in the State of Washington within one year prior to selection.
  • Campaign for elective office or actively participate in or contribute to any political campaign of any candidate for local, state, or federal office while a member of the districting board.
  • Hold or campaign for any city council position for two years after the effective date of the districting plan.

Learn How to Protect Your Credit Score with STCU
STCU will be hosting a series of financial literacy workshops at the Financial Stability Center at the Resource Center of Spokane County. The first workshop, "Protect Your Credit Score," will be held on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 2 - 3 p.m. Click here to learn more and register for STCU workshops at the Financial Stability Center.

Walk-in customers are welcome, no appointment necessary. To learn more about the Resource Center of Spokane County’s vital services, resources, and support, please visit their website.
Winter Wonders: Winter Activity Guide
There are plenty of opportunities for all ages and interests to enjoy our outstanding programs this season. Checkout the Winter Activity Guide today!
On the Bright Side
Take a virtual scenic ride through Riverfront Park on a Peloton bike. Learn more about this 3 1/2 mile ride in the Spokesman Review!
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We are here to help! Simply dial 311 or if outside City limits: 509.755.CITY(2489).