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The Community, Housing and Human Services Department will hold four public meetings seeking community input for the development of the 2025-2029 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Plan.
The plan identifies housing and community development needs and sets priorities for the allocation of federal funding over the next five years. The meetings include:
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Wednesday, Aug. 21, 6-7:30 p.m., at Northeast Community Center, Lower Level-Main Room, 4001 N. Cook St., community development focus
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Thursday, Aug. 22, 6-7 p.m., virtual, community development focus
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Monday, Aug. 26, 6-7:30 p.m., West Central Community Center, Newton Lounge, 1603 N. Belt St., affordable housing focus
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Tuesday, Aug. 27, 6-7 p.m., virtual, affordable housing focus
Visit the Consolidated Plan Page to RSVP and access the virtual meeting links. If you can’t participate in a meeting, consider filling out the online survey that’s open until September 20. For reference, the 2020-2024 Consolidated plan is here.
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City Welcomes Melissa Morrison Back
The Community, Housing and Human Services Department welcomes Melissa Morrison back to the City of Spokane! She started as the Operations Manager on Monday, Aug. 19. Melissa will help supervise CHHS staff; support the department with reporting, grant management and contract compliance; and work closely with providers and community partners.
“I’m passionate about ensuring resources reach the folks who need them,” she said, referring to what interested her in returning to the City. “I want to help ensure the processes are transparent and streamlined because that’s what is best for the community.”
In her previous position, Melissa was a program manager for 2.5 years at Better Health Together, a regional nonprofit that is the region’s Accountable Community of Health (ACH). While at Better Health Together, she coordinated the Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP) for the City.
Melissa also previously served as the Housing and Homeless Initiatives Manager for the Spokane City Council.
Melissa enjoys camping, skiing and spending time with her husband and two children.
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City Making Progress on Homelessness,
Housing Initiatives
The City of Spokane is making progress on several key initiatives to address housing and homelessness within city limits.
Several comprehensive actions the Brown Administration committed to earlier this year are being successfully implemented and showing promising signs of success. Those include the Right-of-Way Encampment Resolution Program, moving services off of the Division Corridor, moving away from congregate shelters to a scattered site model and increasing the affordable housing supply.
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Community Partners Rally
During Heat Waves
The Community, Housing and Human Services Department appreciates all of the community partnerships during hazardous weather, including during the recent heat waves over the summer. Spokane Public Library sites served as cooling areas and in some cases increased their weekend hours. The Salvation Army flexed its capacity at the Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC) and provided transportation options to and from cooling areas along with Spokane Transit Authority. Community efforts included Jewels Helping Hands setting up a cooling tent next to Hope House. Providers throughout the system were supportive by offering resources during the heat waves, and free evening swims were offered at some community aquatic centers.
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Electrification Program Provides Rebates, Incentives to Households, Businesses
The Washington State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program provides rebates and incentives to eligible households and small businesses in Spokane and Spokane County to purchase and install high-efficiency electric equipment and appliances.
SNAP was awarded the $1.5 million contract in July through Spokane County to administer the program. Eligible populations include: low-income households with an income of 80 percent or less of Area Median Income; moderate-income households with 80-150 percent AMI; and small businesses with 50 or less employees. The program Is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
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Continuum of Care RFP - Renewal Projects FY 2024
The FY 2024 Continuum of Care Renewal Project RFP & Application are available online. and can be found in the links below. Please read the instructions in the Funding Notice before starting the application. All application materials for renewal projects are due Sept. 6, 2024. Questions should be directed to the RFP Coordinator via jklapp@spokanecity.org.
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The joint application of Empire Health Foundation as the operator and Revive Counseling as the housing navigator and primary service provider to support the scattered shelter site model was approved by the City Council on Aug. 12.
The $3.85 million contract will run through June 30, 2025. Funds supporting the request for proposals were appropriated by the Washington State Legislature and will be distributed by Commerce. The Empire Health/Revive application was the lone application received. The pilot program could be a blueprint for other housing navigation centers throughout the region. The Trent Resource and Assistance Center is slated to be decommissioned this fall.
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The City Council on Aug. 12 confirmed Mayor Lisa Brown’s appointment of Anna Staal to the Community, Housing and Human Services Board through Aug. 12, 2028.
Citizens are encouraged to attend CHHS Board meetings held on the first Wednesday of every month from 4-6 p.m. Meetings are held at Spokane City Hall in the City Council Briefing Center. Virtual/hybrid options are available by emailing kclifton@spokanecity.org. Public comment is allowed on items relevant to the CHHS Board during the first 10 minutes of each meeting. Agendas are posted online before each meeting.
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Know the Number Flyer
Outlines Service Lines
To assist the community with which number to call during different service-related needs, the City built the "Know the Number" flyer.
The flyer provides details on how and when to call, as well as what the services should be utilized for. Read the blog post for more information.
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Consider Giving to Give Real Change
One way to give toward homeless efforts in the community is the City-operated Give Real Change program started several years ago.
You can give at kiosks at the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza and Spokane International Airport, through your online utility bill or by contacting 311 at City Hall.
The funding has been used to support the annual Homeless Connect event, Point-in-Time Count and providers.
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We want your feedback and tidbits!
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You are receiving this email because you signed up via the CHHS Department website, have been identified as an individual or stakeholder in the discussion, or expressed interest in receiving updates from the City of Spokane. Please feel free to share this email with others who may be interested. Updates are also posted on the CHHS website. To unsubscribe, please see link below. Follow the City of Spokane on social media!
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