homelessness

At its height this summer, Washington’s largest homeless encampment had an estimated population of more than 600. Since October, the population of Camp Hope has shrunk to fewer than 200.

At least 144 people experiencing homelessness in the Inland Northwest have died this year. Today the community gathered to remember them, and to call for compassion and understanding for those still living unhoused across the region.

In the wake of a temporary restraining order, Spokane city and county law enforcement say they’ll limit their activity at the state’s largest homeless encampment to only public safety calls.

A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order barring Spokane city and county from sweeping the state’s largest homeless camp.

The project, which opens this week, will welcome close to a quarter of the residents at Camp Hope, the state’s largest homeless encampment.

The funding means Hope House will not close in January, and instead will house women currently living in the state's largest homeless encampment.

There are now around 270 people staying at the Trent Resource and Assistance Center in Spokane. Leaders at the Salvation Army say they’ve ironed out many challenges, but need more workers to keep up with the increasing demand for a warm, safe bed.

The Spokane City Council has voted to keep existing homeless shelters funded through the end of next year, prioritizing them before new shelter projects.

Many homeless service providers in the Spokane area may see less funding next year as federal pandemic relief runs out, and the city of Spokane tightens its budget to make up for increasing costs.

The Spokane County Board of Commissioners have approved $500,000 to expand the Trent Resource and Assistance Center to house residents of Camp Hope, the homeless community next to Interstate 90 in Spokane's East Central neighborhood.