Expo '74's legacy: A reflection on homelessness in Spokane

As we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Expo ’74, I want to take a look back in time. As a high school student, I heard about how the Expo was going to drastically change our downtown. And it did. 

From the railroad tracks to the river, there were homeless camps and over twenty makeshift taverns. We considered that area “skid row.” Now, we have a beautiful park, hotels, restaurants, and businesses in its place. What a remarkable transformation.

At the time of the Expo, Union Gospel Mission (UGM) had the only two 24/7 shelters in town that were serving men, women, and children in need. In addition, the Salvation Army operated a shelter for families. To prepare for the Expo, UGM participated in the city’s beautification efforts and made improvements to its grounds. 

Fast forward 50 years, and Spokane now has 11 shelters for the homeless, with millions of federal dollars pouring into our city. Yet, there is more chronic homelessness than ever before. Why? 

Many housing programs are put in place solely to meet individuals’ immediate needs of food and shelter. Unfortunately, these government programs come with stipulations that often prohibit long-term success. Harmful patterns continue because there is a lack of accountability and individualized care.

The root causes of addiction and other precarious lifestyles often extend beyond what can be resolved by immediate, short-term fixes. UGM has established a pathway to a better life for anyone willing to take the first step; safety, a plan, time, and community. The UGM Life Recovery program, a 18–24-month commitment, addresses the underlying thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that drive destructive behaviors. 

Because UGM operates free from government funding, we have the freedom to hold people accountable, guide them spiritually, and restore dignity through work opportunities. Residents use their talents to build capacity in their lives and become contributing members of society. This approach fosters gratitude among those we serve and supports long-term life change. 

Our goal is to break the cycle of homelessness, abuse, and addiction and pave a pathway out of what often feels impossible. UGM Founder Albert Arend put it like this: “Our aim is not free meals, but freed persons; not free beds, but free beings.” This model has worked for the past 50 years and continues to work today.

As we look back on the 50 years since Expo ’74, let us reflect on what it means to serve our community and offer individuals a healthy future. Hope for those in homelessness can be pursued by offering more than safety; it requires offering dignity, long-term care, and the time and resources needed to pursue a new life.

Together, we can restore our city and the lives of those who call it home by focusing on the principles that work.