Washington Policy On The Go is WPC’s bi-weekly (weekly during the legislative session) virtual lunchtime event series featuring center directors and guests to inform you on the latest in Washington State policy research and analysis. In this video, we’ll hear from Dr. Robert Marbut, the former federal homelessness czar and upcoming speaker for our Eastern Washington Annual Dinner!
00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – Marbut’s background and national experience
01:18 – San Antonio’s Haven for Hope success story
03:09 – Spokane homelessness: new research overview
04:00 – Why Spokane is struggling despite more spending
05:26 – Asking the right question: what’s the problem?
07:33 – Drucker’s advice: define the problem before the solution
08:29 – Key stat: 50% of Spokane’s homeless came from elsewhere
12:26 – Why people *really* come to Spokane
14:11 – Permissive enforcement and lack of police presence
15:37 – What really causes homelessness? HUD’s 10 categories
17:21 – Street-level homelessness: addiction and mental illness
20:21 – Cities succeeding by focusing on treatment and recovery
22:53 – Case study: West Tampa vs. East Tampa
23:53 – Small city success: Fort Smith, Arkansas
25:15 – What Spokane will look like in 4 years without change
27:11 – Surprising indicator: dogs on the street predict violence
28:37 – Spokane’s rising fentanyl death rate
30:51 – New executive order on homelessness and drug policy
33:14 – Ending taxpayer-funded drug enablement
34:50 – How the EO flips the script: easier treatment, harder drugs
Visit our homepage for the latest Washington news: https://washingtonpolicy.org
Sign up for our FREE newsletter: https://washingtonpolicy.org/signup
Follow us on our social platforms! Facebook: / washington.policy.center | X: https://x.com/wapolicycenter | Instagram: / washingtonpolicy | TikTok: / washingtonpolicy
