City of Spokane Announces Next Chapter of HOME Starts Here Initiative

Spokane city leaders will reveal the next phase of the H. O. M. E. Starts Here initiative during a Public Safety meeting and a press conference.

The initiative aims to enhance public safety by launching a daytime navigation center and a coordinated street outreach team. Strategies will include giving officers greater discretion in issuing citations to address public camping and drug use effectively. Mayor Brown stated that the goal is to connect individuals in crisis with necessary resources while ensuring accountability for those who violate laws. Councilmember Zappone echoed this sentiment, advocating for a system that balances compassion with accountability. Chief Hall noted that updated enforcement tools will align with the new outreach model.

The city will work with community and business partners to draft recommendations for updating the ordinance. The press conference will provide further details on the initiative's goals and next steps.