Spokane City Council Adopts Engagement and Enforcement Ordinances

The Spokane City Council approved two significant ordinances aimed at addressing homelessness during a recent Legislative Session. Ordinance C36679 consolidates existing unauthorized camping laws into a unified policy, focusing on engagement and navigation services for affected individuals. Council Member Zack Zappone noted that unauthorized camping will now be a misdemeanor offense citywide, emphasizing an engagement-first approach before citations. Ordinance C36694 defines aggressive solicitation, prohibiting intimidating behaviors that could disturb public peace. Council Member Paul Dillon remarked on the need to maintain public health and safety while clarifying existing laws.

The Council plans to evaluate and monitor the implementation of these ordinances, seeking upstream solutions for housing. The changes come after extensive community feedback and discussions about homelessness in Spokane. For more details on the Council's approach, residents can visit the city’s website.