Amazon founder gives $5 million for homeless families in Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will donate $5 million to help create housing for homeless families in Spokane.

The Spokesman-Review says Bezos will donate the money to Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington. The money comes from the Bezos Day One Families Fund.

Most of it is destined for the planned Gonzaga Family Haven complex in northeast Spokane, which is intended to provide housing and social services for more than 70 families.

The project is a partnership among Catholic Charities, Gonzaga University and Gonzaga Prep High School, which is located next to the planned complex.

Officials say the grant is not enough to fund the entire project, but it will allow better services than originally planned.

Spokane is grappling with major homelessness issues, especially in the downtown core.