The city of Spokane, a group of Camp Hope residents, and a non-profit organization agreed today to settle a lawsuit over threats to clear the camp.
Leading up to the November election, Spokane County and city officials threatened to clear the camp, located near I-90 in the eastern part of Spokane. They issued an initial November deadline – later revised to December – for everyone to leave.
Several camp residents and non-profit Jewels Helping Hands sued the city and county. They sought a restraining order to prevent an immediate closure, arguing that clearing the camp could irreparably harm the significant portion of residents who have disabilities.
The camp’s population has shrunk significantly, as state officials and non-profits help camp residents get into housing and shelter options. At its height last summer there were more than 600 residents. A report from the Washington State Department of Transportation, which owns the land where its located, put the most recent count closer 130. Those remaining face the most barriers in obtaining housing.
The camp has also divided the East Central neighborhood, with many businesses calling for the immediate removal of the camp because of a reported increase in theft, and other crimes. Advocates for the homeless, as well as the state, asked local governments for more time to get as many residents into safe housing as possible. They’ve argued clearing the camp before then will just result in another starting elsewhere in the city.
In a statement Friday, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward said she’s hoping the agreement will bring the city a step closer to resolving the camp.
“Our immediate next step will be to work with the state to finish getting individuals inside and out of the elements and restore the neighborhood that has been impacted,” she said. “We understand the urgency to meet both interests.”
The full settlement is not yet public, but a city spokesman said Spokane agreed to only clear the camp through their abatement process, which is normally used for nuisance properties and requires a judge to review any plan to clear the camp. The temporary restraining order will also remain in effect for now.
