Still homeless
The child in Spokesman-Review photographer Brian Plonka’s photo is jumping through a pile of leaves. Next to him sit four brightly colored tents. All looks peaceful. It isn’t. Homeless people are sleeping in the tents on a vacant lot near Stevens Elementary School in North Spokane. It is Nov. 2, 2007. The clash between the campers and the neighborhood is the latest affordable housing skirmish in a summer and early fall filled with them.
In July, Mayor Dennis Hession appointed an affordable housing task force, prompted by the displacement of low-income residents due to the condo boom in downtown Spokane. The city, nonprofits and developers were working together. Then Hession lost the election. Then the task force disbanded. Then the housing bubble burst, and the unpaid mortgages of middle-class families became the focus instead.
The affordable housing problems did not go away, however. And one of the most important conclusions drawn by Hession’s task force? A regional effort is essential.
“Even though we have city and county boundaries, people don’t know boundaries,” said Cindy Algeo, executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium. “It will be much more effective if we plan regionally.”
Well, this might be happening. Mike Adolfae, the city’s community development director, said plans for a regional affordable housing task force should be finalized in April. Mayor Mary Verner and elected officials from the county and Spokane Valley have agreed this is a priority.
Good. And the task force should begin its work sooner rather than later, because affordable housing concerns are ever present. Not just for the homeless, but also for low-wage service workers and first-time home buyers.
The regional task force has a unique opportunity to build on the work started last summer. This will require:
“The inclusion of all housing stakeholders. Expertise is needed from nonprofit housing agencies, developers, homebuilder groups, housing clients and government representatives from each regional municipality. And a wildcard representative or two might also help. For instance, Knox Presbyterian Church just announced plans to develop 30 affordable apartments located near its North Spokane church.
“Formulating a comprehensive, regional housing plan.
When the condo craze goes crazy once more, when the homeless pitch tents in neighborhoods again, when service workers can’t find studio apartments, the region’s housing experts need to respond quickly. They will, if the regional task force is given the power, and support, to finally create a workable affordable housing plan here.