(The Center Square) – As Spokane pushes to grant a congregate homeless shelter $1.2 million despite the apparent lack of a competitive process, some on the city council are questioning whether that’s legal.
Last month, Mayor Lisa Brown proposed using the money to prevent Hope House, a women’s congregate shelter, from closing. According to a news release, the funding became available through contract renegotiations, resulting in savings and a surplus from the Trent Shelter.
Spokane Communications Director Erin Hut told The Center Square that the $1.2 million originates from pandemic relief funding. However, that funding usually is required to go through a competitive process, such as a Request for Proposals, which the city failed to do this time.
“Just looking for that kind of background information,” Councilmember Michael Cathcart asked, “[around] the lack of an RFP with regards to allocating $1.2 million to [Hope House].”
Council Policy Advisor Chris Wright asked Arielle Anderson, director of the Community, Housing, and Human Services Department, about the procurement process for the funding.