SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A new approach to addressing homelessness is gaining momentum across Spokane County, with local officials and citizens advocating for treatment over housing as the primary solution.
The “Treatment First MOU” represents a shift in strategy for tackling what many officials now characterize as primarily a drug problem rather than a housing crisis.
“What I think years ago, folks could arguably say was a homelessness problem, is not a homelessness problem. It’s a drug problem,” said Preston McCollam, Spokane County Prosecutor.
The memorandum of understanding was developed by a coalition of regular citizens and elected officials who believe substance abuse treatment should take priority over providing housing for homeless individuals.
Sheriff John Nowels, a key supporter of the initiative, explained the reasoning behind the approach.
“The issues manifest themselves as homelessness but usually it’s driven by a significant substance use disorder,” Nowels said.
The sheriff emphasized that the new model requires treatment before housing assistance.
“It’s saying we need to get people into treatment before we provide housing for them,” Nowels said.
Airway Heights became the first city to sign the agreement in November, with three others following suit over the last few months. Supporters are working to expand adoption countywide, with particular focus on securing support from the City of Spokane.
McCollam believes a unified regional approach is essential for addressing the crisis effectively.
“It’s important for all of the municipalities and the region as a whole to address this, I think, in a unified fashion, because it allows us to, you know, address the problem together,” McCollam said.
The prosecutor argued that the treatment-first model offers a more comprehensive solution than previous approaches.
“If we embrace the treatment first model, we’re able to pair accountability with treatment in a way that we haven’t done before,” McCollam said.
However, the approach faces criticism from homelessness advocates who argue it may not be the most effective strategy for all individuals experiencing homelessness.
Barry Barfield, Administrator for the Spokane Homeless Coalition, warns a shift away from the housing first model could be harmful.
“It does work to some percentage and for some of the folks, but it’s not the most effective way. The most effective way is the housing first approach,” Barfield said.
Barfield argues that many people living on the streets are not ready for treatment and need stable housing first.
“They need to be in a stable inside place. Not in the rain. Not in snow. And feel some safety before they can even start to think about getting treatment,” Barfield said.
You can read the “Treatment First MOU” below.
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