Spokane's Council Greenlights $3.7M for TRAC Shelter's Winter Operation

The Spokane, Washington, TRAC facility.Photo byTRAC facility courtesy of the city of Spokane.

The Spokane City Council recently approved a $3.73 million contract extension with The Salvation Army, enabling the continuation of TRAC homeless shelter operations through the winter while contemplating future services. Situated along East Trent Avenue, the Trent Resource and Assistance Centre, established in September 2022, stands as the city's largest homeless shelter, catering to a daily populace averaging over 300 individuals. Alongside shelter services, Revive Counselling Spokane provides additional assistance at the facility.

The TRAC shelter, situated within a warehouse owned by local developer Larry Stone and The Stone Group, became a point of contention during the recent mayoral election. Outgoing mayor Nadine Woodward and mayor-elect Lisa Brown debated the ongoing lease of the shelter, scheduled to commence on January 1, 2024.

Earlier in the year, the city and the Salvation Army initiated a $9.14 million operational agreement, subsequently extended by council members unanimously through April of the following year. The supplementary funding, primarily sourced from $2.3 million in federal pandemic relief funds, will also draw from additional allocations from a city commerce fund.

The Community Housing and Human Services department's summary document highlighted the objective to sustain uninterrupted emergency shelter services throughout the winter while concurrently formulating a new transition strategy. This strategy, slated for early 2024, aims to encompass a wind-down plan, transition scope, and associated costs. It emphasizes the need for fresh administrative priorities and efforts to effectuate the closure and transition of individuals and services from May through the summer.

Captain David Cain of The Salvation Army expressed his steadfast commitment to ensuring a safe, low-barrier environment at TRAC, enabling shelter residents to stabilize their lives. Acknowledging homelessness as a multifaceted issue, Cain emphasized the imperative for collaborative efforts to address these challenges.

Joe Ader, directing Understanding Poverty, raised concerns about specific city funding allocated to TRAC, advocating for a broader consideration of Spokane's homeless system.

Council members echoed the necessity of examining the entire homeless support framework and emphasizing collaboration for effective outcomes. They underlined the initiative to bolster existing collaboration within Spokane and ensure that outcomes meet critical needs.

The sentiment among council members echoed the need for a fresh perspective and a new contract that addresses existing frustrations while acknowledging that this extension serves as a temporary solution until comprehensive data and funding strategies emerge.

Council president Betsy Wilkerson highlighted the city's responsibility to support the unhoused and homeless population, stressing the complexity of the issue and the need for more comprehensive solutions.

The contract extension garnered support from council members Michael Cathcart, Karen Stratton, and Paul Dillon, among others.