(The Center Square) – With a roundtable discussion slated for next week, several Spokane officials hosted a Thursday press conference to give more insight into the city council’s deferred homelessness ordinances.
Council President Betsy Wilkerson said the upcoming meeting(s) are intended “to dispel some of the misinformation and miscommunication that is circulating in our community.” However, the city’s press release said the meetings are “to gather input on our current policies and create suggestions for enhancing them.”
The roundtable discussion(s) will follow months of criticism from the business community and others over the city’s handling of its homelessness crisis .
Many business owners, developers and real estate professionals have called into question an ordinance that would make “housing status” a protected class. While the policy is intended to protect homeless individuals from discrimination, some say its unintended consequences will only perpetuate the crisis and safeguard vagrants from prosecution.