SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss warming centers for homeless residents after 25 tents were set up in front of city hall on Wednesday.
The city council announced the meeting will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The council will decide whether to create an emergency budget for warming centers. The meeting is opened to the public but no public testimony will be allowed, according to city officials.
City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said the city council could approve a contract that would create 50 or more warming shelter spaces for men.
A contract for 60 to 70 women and family warming shelter spaces without religious requirements opened downtown two weeks ago. Another contract for 40 warming shelter spaces for men has also been approved and that will open Dec. 1, Feist said.
Twenty-five brand new tents were set up in front of Spokane City Hall on Wednesday morning in response to a lack of shelter beds for homeless residents.
The tents were paid for by community members and purchased by the General Store, which provided a 50-percent discount.
"I put a call call out to Facebook that we needed tents desperately. People out here are getting cold and wet," said activist Alfredo Llamedo. "They stepped up to the plate and provided these at half price."
Homeless residents said they will leave the area once adequate shelter space is available.
The action comes two days after protesters formed a barrier around homeless residents' belongings at city hall. Demonstrators said police planned to remove the belongings but decided against it.
The city has suspended a sit-lie ordinance that prohibits people from sitting or sleeping on city streets, until more shelter beds become available.
Activists also met with city representatives on Monday to discuss lack of shelter space and the state of homelessness in Spokane.