City of Spokane Announces Next Chapter of HOME Starts Here Initiative
Spokane city officials will unveil the next phase of the H. O. M. E. Starts Here initiative during a Public Safety meeting and press conference.
The initiative will introduce a daytime navigation center and a coordinated street outreach team aimed at addressing homelessness. New strategies will focus on ending public camping and open drug use, granting officers greater discretion to issue citations. Recommendations for updating the engagement and enforcement ordinance will be drafted alongside community and business partners. Mayor Brown highlighted the importance of balancing compassion with accountability to create safer public spaces. Councilmember Zappone underscored the need for a system that connects resources to those ready for help while holding accountable those who disrupt public order.
Chief Hall stated that data indicates a need for more discretion in law enforcement responses. The press conference will provide further details on these initiatives and their goals.