SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane City Council has approved two ordinances aimed at addressing homelessness in the area. The first ordinance prohibits unauthorized camping while emphasizing the connection of individuals to evidence-based navigation services. Law enforcement will focus on helping individuals, issuing citations only if there is noncompliance.
The second ordinance targets aggressive solicitation, defined as seeking something valuable in a potentially intimidating manner. The council plans to prioritize finding safe places and housing solutions for those affected.
Meanwhile, a homeless sleep shelter in Moses Lake is shutting down. The community expressed concern over the closure’s impact. Residents were asked to vacate the site by 9:00 a.m. yesterday. The process took longer than expected due to the volume of belongings. City crews dismantled structures as a dozen police officers stood by for security, with no arrests made.
This closure follows a petition signed by more than 400 business leaders in April, urging the city council to close the encampment. Some residents worry this could worsen homelessness and drug issues. “From where we are standing right now, most of the homeless drug use was contained within a quarter mile of this area. And now who knows where they’re gonna go?” one community member said.
The city of Moses Lake will lease the property until the end of September, with hopes to sell the sheds to potentially open a new shelter. Church groups and nonprofits have shown interest in collaborating to establish a new shelter, though no concrete plans are in place.
