(The Center Square) – Spokane officials plan to help wildfire survivors navigate asbestos testing and rebuilding requirements as contractor shortages and laboratory backlogs are continuing to delay the recovery efforts.
The Spokane City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a resolution allowing the city to provide asbestos surveying at no cost to eligible property owners affected by the Old Trails Fire whose homeowners insurance does not cover the service.
Councilmember Michael Cathcart spoke with The Center Square about the biggest obstacles facing residents trying to rebuild.
“I think the biggest issue is contractor availability and that side of it,” Cathcart said. “I know certainly on the abatement side, but surveying and all of that with the labs and everything that has to go through, I know there’s been a backup.”
The city secured authorization from the Washington State Department of Commerce to use Wildfire Housing Assistance Funds to help residents obtain and pay for asbestos testing.
Residents who have already paid for an asbestos survey not covered by insurance can request reimbursement of up to $1,600 through the city’s application process.
However, the total cost of the program and the amount of additional funding needed for the broader recovery effort remain undetermined.
Cathcart said he does not have a firm estimate of the program’s cost, but does not believe the city will be unable to serve property owners who have not already completed surveys or arranged to do so themselves.
Cathcart suggested Washington look elsewhere for help with the work to help address demand in Spokane.
“Personally, I think there should be a stronger push for reciprocity with Idaho or Oregon so that contractors who are authorized there, but maybe not in Washington state, could do some of this work just because of the number of affected properties and property owners,” Cathcart said.
Cathcart said the city has positioned building department staff closer to fire-affected neighborhoods to make it easier for property owners to get information and navigate permitting requirements.
The cost of removing asbestos identified during testing could still present a financial barrier for some families, he said.
“There’s a cost to that, and that’s going to be a barrier for some,” Cathcart said. “And I don’t think that we have identified any way around some of that or to mitigate some of that yet.”
City officials are also examining whether additional fees for fire-affected properties could be waived or reduced, Cathcart said. He added that council members and city administrators are looking for ways to help residents move forward with rebuilding.
In a separate email to The Center Square, Carmen Ellrodt, legislative assistant to Councilmember Zack Zappone, said he considers the issue important because family members and friends of his were affected by the fires, along with residents of his district.
Ellrodt said the city is working to help affected residents while seeking additional federal and state funding.
“Funding is still being determined,” Ellrodt wrote. “Federal and state funding are still being sought after.”
She added that city officials are working to ensure affected residents receive assistance and that the issue receives prompt attention.
The city is hosting a community resource event to help residents navigate the recovery process. The event is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at Salk Middle School, 6411 N. Alberta.
City staff and community partners will answer questions about wildfire housing assistance, asbestos surveying, regulatory flexibility for residential rebuilding, temporary housing on affected properties and second opinions on contractor and development quotes.
“Navigating the rebuilding process can be difficult and overwhelming, but the City of Spokane is here to help,” Mayor Lisa Brown said in a city announcement. “We hope these events will help our impacted families with their next steps and provide relief through the recovery process.”
Old Trails Fire-affected property owners have been able to request a survey through the city’s asbestos survey application. Residents who have already paid for an uninsured survey can use the same form to request reimbursement of up to $1,600.