SPOKANE (AP) — Homeless residents in Spokane struggling with mental illness, substance abuse and other challenges can now find shelter at two recently opened apartment buildings.

The Spokesman-Review reports that Catholic Charities of Spokane and Volunteers of America celebrated the opening of their two permanent housing projects Thursday.

The new buildings, which are bright orange and yellow, follow a national approach to homeless problems called “housing first.” The idea is to first treat the most pressing need of the homeless -- shelter. From there, advocates say, rehabilitation and job seeking is much simpler and more effective.

 

Proponents say the approach also saves money by reducing emergency-service and police calls.

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