SPOKANE, Wash. — If you’ve been hoping for a more conveniently located childcare option, you might be in luck.
Spokane officials are working to remove zoning barriers that have kept daycare centers out of residential neighborhoods.
Mayor Lisa Brown introduced a proposal Monday that would reduce regulatory obstacles preventing childcare facilities from being built in areas where families need them most. The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmembers Paul Dillon and Zack Zappone, addresses what officials say is a critical shortage in the region.
“Spokane has some of the highest child care needs in the country, quite frankly,” said Dillon, who represents District 2.
The proposed changes would streamline the process for building childcare centers by eliminating what Dillon calls “antiquated red tape” that has limited where early learning facilities can operate.
“There’s a lot of challenges with putting daycare and childcare facilities in residential areas, for example,” Dillon said. “You want to have a childcare facility that is close to home, close to your residence, that’s easy to travel if you’re commuting to work and you want to drop your kiddo off. It makes sense.”
The ordinance builds on findings from a University District study conducted earlier this year that highlighted the region’s severe childcare shortage.
“77% of people that took the survey said that they’ve had to work fewer hours than they wanted to because they don’t have the childcare they need,” said Soren Newman, Associate Director of Arrowleaf Consulting, the company that led data collection and analysis for the study.
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The proposal is designed to further the city’s H.O.M.E. Starts Here initiative, which focuses on removing barriers to employment for residents. City officials view accessible childcare as essential infrastructure for working families.
“This is going to be a huge lift up for working families in Spokane,” Dillon said.
The City Council will conduct the first reading of the ordinance during its Aug. 25 meeting. If approved during the initial review, the final reading is scheduled for Sept. 5, when council members will vote on whether to adopt the changes.
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