(The Center Square) – One of Spokane’s behavioral health providers is moving out of downtown amid efforts to disperse services, but some on the city council are skeptical over the terms of the move.
During a Monday committee meeting, the elected officials discussed relocating Compassionate Addiction Treatment, or CAT . Dawn Kinder, director of Spokane’s Neighborhoods, Housing and Human Services Division, briefed the officials on a memorandum of understanding that would dictate the city’s relationship with CAT for the next 25 years if approved.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Spokane would spend roughly $1.87 million in pandemic relief to purchase a new facility for CAT in the Chief Garry Park neighborhood. The new location would sport a 16-bed sobering center, available upon referral, and outpatient services for roughly 45 people.
The catch is that the agreement prohibits CAT from offering transitional housing or an emergency/homeless shelter without permission from the city and a new agreement.