A group of current and former political, business and non-profit leaders have created a web series and podcast that’s aimed at solving chronic homelessness in Spokane.
The series is hosted by Spokane’s former chief budget officer, who served under the city’s current and five previous mayors.
Gavin Cooley traveled across the country in search of solutions to Spokane’s growing issues with homelessness. He also visited researchers, mental health professionals, and people experiencing homelessness.
He says he hopes to educate the broader community, and give city, business and non-profit leaders a starting point to work together.
“I really believe its solvable, but it doesn’t become solvable unless we all get under the same roof and start marching in the same direction,” he said.
Cooley took inspiration from Houston, Texas, where a coalition moved tens of thousands of people from the streets into housing. Cooley and former Spokane city council president Ben Stuckart say they hope sharing what they learned with city leaders will lead to solutions in Spokane.
The series also looked at Spokane’s history, and how the loss of living wage jobs and a lack of affordability has pushed many to the margins.
The series, called Housing and Help, will release episodes monthly on their website housingandhelp.org
