SPOKANE, Wash. — People facing eviction in Spokane now have access to a new program designed to connect them with resources that could help them stay in their homes.
The pilot program launched this week and included a website that aims to help residents avoid eviction by providing access to legal aid and rental assistance. Under a new city ordinance, the program gives anyone facing eviction a 30-day window before their case can proceed to court.
The city ordinance requires landlords to include a list of prevention programs in their eviction notices, giving tenants time to enroll in the program and find appropriate resources.
The program brings together several organizations, including SNAP and the Housing Justice Project. Each organization serves different populations, whether single adults, families or youth.
“We call it the ‘scarlet E,’ or the red flag. [It keeps] that off of their record and so future housing is not at risk. All of these things are important in our community,” said Hannah Swenson, managing attorney for the KCBA Housing Justice Project.
The Housing Justice Project focuses on keeping eviction cases from going to court. Swenson said preventing evictions from reaching court helps protect tenants’ rental histories, which can affect their ability to secure housing in the future.
The managing attorney said people have already reached out about enrolling in the program, even though it just launched this week.
The new city website serves as a central hub where residents can access information about legal aid and rental assistance programs available in Spokane. The program aims to provide tenants with the resources they need during the 30-day window to resolve their housing issues before court proceedings begin.
The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the city and various housing organizations to address eviction prevention in Spokane’s rental market.
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