Mission Statement

Department Mission: Enrich the quality of life for vulnerable and at-risk populations through the administration and coordination of local, state and federal funds and through collaborative partnerships with non-profit and government agencies that improve coordination and maximize the use of public and private resources to meet human service needs.

 Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

The City of Spokane’s HMIS was one of the first systems in the nation for homeless data collection.  The Human Services Department has provided Technical Assistance both locally and nationally and participated in several national studies on poverty and the homeless utilizing statistics from our HMIS.  The City of Spokane’s HMIS has  national recognition; in 2005 the HMIS received the Homelesss Information System Pioneer Award and  in 1998, the HMIS was presented with the John J. Gunther Best Practices Blue Ribbon Award, both from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It has also received the Association of Washington Cities Municipal Achievement Award.  The Human Services Department continuously participates both on a state and national level with the HMIS initiative.

The sites, which are not set up to provide typical shelter accommodations such as a bed, would be opened at the request of the City as needed between Nov.1 and Feb. 28.  These sites would be available in addition to regular homeless shelters located throughout the City, allowing more people to get out of the cold.

>>11.18.11 Two (2) Warming Centers Activated

>>2010.11 Warming Center Fact Sheet
>> 2010.11 Warming Center Statistics 

 Spokane Homeless Coalition

MISSION STATEMENT: Spokane Homeless Coalition is a collaborative effort of the individuals and organizations/agencies addressing the challenges of homelessness in the communities of the greater Spokane region.  Through education, legislative advocacy, mutual support and a sharing of resources, the Coalition strives to prevent homelessness, as well as create the ability of the communities to respond to individual needs.

 Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP)

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes funding for a Homelessness Prevention Program. The City of Spokane applied for and was awarded a 3-year grant to provide homelessness prevention assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless and to provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless.

HUD expects these resources will be targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, outside of HPRP after the program concludes.

HPRP Forms

>> Homeless Prevention
>> Rapid Rehousing

Additional Information

>>HUD HRE
>>HPRP Notice
>>HPRP Eligibility Determination and Documentation Guidance
>>HPRP Webinars
>>City of Spokane Program Guidelines
>>HPRP FAQs

 Housing and Essential Needs

As of November 1, 2011, the Washington State Disability Lifeline program was replaced with the Housing and Essential Needs program. It is estimated that the Housing and Essential Needs program will have the capacity to serve approximately 50% of those previously enrolled in the Disability Lifeline program.

The program will serve clients eligible for Department of Social and Health (DSHS) Medical Care Services (MCS). Housing and Essential Needs may provide assistance with rent and utility payments, personal health and hygiene items, cleaning supplies and bus passes. It should be noted that recipients are not entitled to assistance, as assistance is dependent on available funding and services.

The City of Spokane Human Services Department is the local grantee with the Department of Commerce for the program in Spokane County. The department has awarded a sub-grant to The Salvation Army to implement the program. For more information on the program or to see if you qualify, please contact:

 Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG)

The Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) combines state homeless resources into a single grant opportunity to county governments (and other designated entities) under the administration of the Washington State Department of Commerce, http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1320/default.aspx.

 The CHG is designed to support an integrated system of housing assistance to prevent homelessness and quickly re-house households who are unsheltered. This grant provides resources to address the needs of people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, as described in Local Homeless Plans.