SPOKANE, Wash. — Discussions are underway for how the City of Spokane should be handling homelessness.
Earlier this week, the city hosted a homeless roundtable, which allowed members of the community to come together and discuss the issue.
Two of the items discussed were the “Ban the Address” proposal, which would remove the address section from employee applications, and the Good Neighbor agreement, an agreement between homeless organizations and the surrounding community.
Julie Garcia is a 2nd Chance employer who runs two homeless shelters in Spokane. She attended the roundtable.
“This is bringing people together who may not have the same opinions or even understand the other side but it will be helpful,” Garcia said.
As a 2nd Chance employer, she has helped those experiencing homelessness find jobs.
“I’ve heard the stories, I’ve gone with people to interviews, I’ve seen the stigma that homelessness puts on everybody, and it does make it hard to get a job,” Garcia said.
Garcia believes Ban the Address is a necessity. She also believes the Good Neighbor agreement is a good idea.