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Home » City Council passes 'ban the address' ordinance

City Council passes 'ban the address' ordinance

Law intended to help unhoused people seeking employment

April 23, 2025
Journal of Business Staff

The Spokane City Council passed a new fair chance hiring ordinance during its legislative session this week.

In a 6-1 vote, council members passed the "ban the address" ordinance, which is intended to ensure that qualified job applicants aren't excluded from consideration based on their lack of a physical address or their housing status.

“This ordinance represents a major step forward, providing hope, dignity, and opportunity to workers who have faced challenges due to not having a permanent residence," says Council Member Paul Dillon in a press release.

According to the Spokane Human Rights Commission, houseless job applicants have faced discrimination when they provide the address of a shelter or a P.O. box.

The ordinance, if approved by Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, would prohibit employers from inquiring about an applicant's address or residency history until after a provisional offer of employment has been made.

The release states that the ordinance is the first of its kind in the country.

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