City of Spokane Announces Next Chapter of HOME Starts Here Initiative

Spokane city leaders, including Mayor Lisa Brown and Councilmember Zack Zappone, will introduce the next phase of the H. O. M. E. Starts Here initiative during a Public Safety meeting and a press conference.

This initiative aims to address public camping and open drug use by enhancing outreach and enforcement strategies. The city plans to launch a daytime navigation center and a new coordinated street outreach team as part of these efforts. Officials will draft recommendations for updating the engagement and enforcement ordinance in collaboration with community partners and the Spokane Police Department. Mayor Brown stated the importance of balancing compassion with accountability, aiming to connect individuals in crisis to necessary resources. Councilmember Zappone noted that the ordinance update would facilitate both resource connection and accountability for repeat offenders.

Chief Hall mentioned that data indicates officers need more discretion in issuing citations and arrests. A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning to outline the goals of the initiative.