SPOKANE, Wash. – Mayor Lisa Brown has introduced a new legislative package to accelerate affordable housing development throughout Spokane. The initiative, known as the “Home Starts Here Plan,” aims to address the factors contributing to housing instability and homelessness.
Senator Marcus Riccelli joined Brown at the announcement. The plan is designed to reduce barriers to building affordable housing and help create new units. However, Brown emphasized the need for discussions with state and federal partners regarding funding. “We definitely have advocates at the federal level… that alone is not enough,” she said.
Since 2020, Spokane has utilized funds from House Bill 1590, which authorized a 0.1% local sales tax to expand housing access. This effort is part of an ordinance introduced by Brown to align with state law and achieve the city’s housing target of 22,359 new units by 2040.
