SPOKANE, Wash. – Amid uncertainty over SNAP benefits, continued impacts of the federal shutdown, and other financial stressors, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown held a press conference declaring an emergency.
“We are also anticipating increased needs, as members of our community will be forced to decide whether to pay for food or rent as a result of the federal shutdown,” Brown said.
As part of the emergency declaration, Brown says the city will expedite eviction prevention contracts.
“We want to go upstream and prevent more homelessness. And that’s where the eviction prevention funds come in,” Brown said.
Brown explained during the press conference that these funds would be distributed to providers who would then work with those who could face eviction to “help them stay in place.”
According to newly-published data by the Washington Office of Civil Legal Aid, Spokane County had approximately 3,558 eviction cases in 2025, making up nearly 11% of Washington state evictions.
Evictions are ordered by judges and executed by the Sheriff’s Department.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there are approximately 35 active evictions and about 25 evictions that are currently “in-mediation.”
Family Promise, a local family shelter, has been running a “Keep Housing program” for several years. The program employs about 9 case workers to provide assistance for people to stay in their homes.
“Before they lose their housing, we’re getting to know their individual needs and barriers and trying to make sure that if they have housing right now, let’s keep that housing,” Community Engagement Coordinator Lucy Peterson said.
Peterson says “Keep Housing” program is a large program.
“Over 50% of the families we served last year was in keep housing,” Peterson said.
As financial concerns grow, including the possibility of SNAP benefits ending and the federal shutdown, organizations Peterson says Family Promise is preparing to support more families.
“We’re just trying to gather our resources as best we know,” Peterson said.
It’s still unclear how much funding will be granted to providers as part of the city’s “Expedited Eviction Protection Contracts.”
