Spokane, Wash. – In a coordinated effort to address the region’s homelessness crisis, the City of Spokane and Spokane County announced Thursday that they are now accepting requests for proposals (RFP) for a $40 million fund dedicated to homelessness, housing, operations and human services.
Unified application process
The joint press release explains that the new process will consolidate funding sources across jurisdictions into a single RFP, a single application, and common review and scoring criteria. A joint committee will evaluate proposals, aiming to make strategic regional investments that improve accountability, reduce barriers for service providers, and ensure equitable access to resources.
Eligible projects and funding streams
Funding will be drawn from a mix of human services grants, consolidated homeless grants, emergency solutions grants, homeless prevention, housing and essential needs programs, among others. Eligible projects include emergency sheltering, homeless prevention, rapid re‑housing, street outreach, day sheltering, permanent housing, transitional housing and coordinated entry.
Mayor’s perspective
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called the initiative “a big step forward for our community members in need, our providers, and our region as a whole.” She emphasized that the streamlined process will distribute funding more equitably and ensure every dollar is used as effectively as possible to meet community needs.
How to apply
Interested service providers can submit proposals through the official Spokane city and county websites. The RFP committee is slated to make funding recommendations by February 2027, giving applicants several months to prepare comprehensive plans.
Impact on the community
Local advocates and nonprofit leaders have welcomed the joint approach, noting that a single, transparent application reduces administrative overhead and allows organizations to focus on delivering services rather than navigating bureaucratic hurdles. By pooling resources, the city and county hope to expand capacity for emergency shelters, increase the availability of rapid re‑housing options, and strengthen long‑term permanent housing solutions.
The collaborative model also reflects a broader trend in Washington state toward regional cooperation on social services, recognizing that homelessness does not respect municipal boundaries. Stakeholders anticipate that the $40 million infusion will help curb the growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness, especially as winter approaches and demand for shelter rises.
Community members seeking more information about the RFP can visit the Spokane city website or the Spokane County website, where detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria and contact information are posted.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
