Cannon Street Shelter reopens with new focus [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane’s Cannon Street Shelter will reopen with a new focus on transitioning homeless people into housing on Wednesday.

With funding from the Washington Department of Commerce, the shelter is relaunching as a pilot housing navigation center.

Revive Spokane, a mental health counseling and social services organization, will operate the shelter.

The interior is noticeably refurbished, as new sleeping facilities and common areas have been prepared by staff over the past several months. Unlike charities that focus purely on providing beds to houseless people, Revive Spokane will also make mental health a main focus when the Cannon Street building reopens.

“We’re looking at this through the lens of the opioid crisis and also the housing shortage,” clinical social worker and therapist Layne Pavey said. “We focus on people’s needs that have to do with their behavioral health.”

Homeless Spokane residents struggling with addiction or mental health issues will be able to seek a new resource for help this week as …