City of Spokane Announces Next Chapter of HOME Starts Here Initiative

Spokane city officials will announce the next phase of the H. O. M. E. Starts Here initiative, focusing on strategies to curb public camping and open drug use.

Mayor Lisa Brown, Councilmember Zack Zappone, and Police Chief Kevin Hall will reveal these plans at a Public Safety meeting and subsequent press conference. The new approach aims to provide officers with greater discretion in issuing citations, enhance outreach efforts, and engage the community in finding solutions. Mayor Brown highlighted the importance of balancing compassion for individuals in crisis with the need for public safety. Councilmember Zappone added that updating the enforcement ordinance can promote both accountability and resource connection. Chief Hall noted that existing data indicates a need for more nuanced enforcement tools.

Recommendations for the ordinance update will be developed in collaboration with community and business stakeholders. The press conference is set for Tuesday morning, with details to follow.