Spokane's New LGBTQ Shelter Reshapes North Hill Neighborhood

The Aurora Center offers a low-barrier, affirming space for unhoused LGBTQ neighbors in Spokane's scattered-site shelter model.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Spokane's newest LGBTQ-focused homeless shelter, the Aurora Center in North Hill Christian Church, is providing a much-needed safe and inclusive space for unhoused LGBTQ individuals in the city. The shelter fits into Spokane's scattered-site shelter model, offering a low-barrier and affirming environment for this vulnerable population.

Why it matters

The opening of the Aurora Center highlights the importance of specialized, LGBTQ-affirming services for the unhoused community in Spokane. As the city's shelter system has historically been more scattered, this new dedicated space aims to better meet the unique needs of LGBTQ individuals experiencing homelessness.

The details

The Aurora Center, located in North Hill Christian Church, is Spokane's first LGBTQ-focused homeless shelter. The program offers a low-barrier, affirming environment for unhoused LGBTQ neighbors, providing services and resources tailored to this community. The shelter fits into Spokane's scattered-site shelter model, which aims to distribute services across the city rather than concentrate them in one central location.

  • The Aurora Center opened in early 2026.

The players

Aurora Center

Spokane's first LGBTQ-focused homeless shelter, located in North Hill Christian Church.

Spokane's Scattered-Site Shelter Model

Spokane's approach to distributing homeless services and resources across the city rather than concentrating them in one central location.

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The takeaway

The opening of the Aurora Center represents an important step in Spokane's efforts to better serve the unique needs of its unhoused LGBTQ population, providing a safe and affirming space within the city's broader scattered-site shelter model.