Another boost for Everett’s homeless housing program

EVERETT — The city of Everett is stepping up its efforts to provide housing for homeless people, and the initiative may receive a welcome boost from Snohomish County.

In its budget for 2016, the County Council included $1 million intended to support the city’s efforts to build or acquire property for low-barrier supportive housing.

“This is a countywide problem and this is something we need to fund in the future as well,” County Councilman Brian Sullivan said.

“It has to have momentum because the problem isn’t going away, the problem is only getting worse,” he said.

Sullivan championed the addition to the budget out of recognition that Everett takes the brunt of the impacts of chronic homelessness even though it has just 15 percent of the county’s population.

The $1 million comes with a few conditions. The money is a two-for-one match, meaning Everett will need to invest $2 million of its own or from other sources in order to qualify for the additional county support.

The money also is earmarked for a single capital project, either construction of new housing or purchasing of existing property, Sullivan said. The County Council will review the city’s project proposal prior to approval.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said the city already is moving forward on a plan to create more housing for homeless people in early 2016.

“We plan to bring that plan by resolution to the City Council by the first quarter,” Stephanson said.

Everett has been working on a multipart plan to reduce chronic homelessness and associated problems of substance abuse, untreated mental health problems, and petty street crimes.

The city’s Community Streets Initiative task force identified 63 specific actions to tackle the issue, and the mayor’s Safe Streets Initiative is putting some of those into action.

So far the city has created an alcohol impact area in certain neighborhoods and hired social workers (with funding from the county) to ride along with police officers.

In November, the city brought in Lloyd Pendleton, the architect of Utah’s successful low-barrier housing program, to address a crowd at the Historic Everett Theatre. A video of Pendleton’s talk is available online on the city’s YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/1jORPnS).

The city’s 2016 budget already includes $2.2 million in funding for various projects, including an expansion of the social worker program.

Stephanson earlier this fall announced a plan to build 20 units of low-barrier supportive housing in the next two years. He’s now accelerated the schedule, aiming for five units available within the first 60 days of 2016 and all 20 by mid-year.

“Those 20 are most likely going to be at scattered sites, rentals, until (we) look for a longer-term project,” said David Hall, a deputy city prosecutor leading the Safe Streets program.

The temporary sites still would be supportive, in that case workers would regularly visit the tenants to provide services, but they won’t be on-site as they would in a more long-term housing environment, Hall said.

Stephanson said the city already is looking at potential properties in conjunction with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington and other social service organizations.

“I would hope that by mid-year we would have a property identified, we’re working on purchase and sales agreements, and beginning to identify capital requirements,” he said.

Those property purchases are one likely use of the county’s $1 million promise. Having a property already in place would help the city in obtaining state funding as well, Stephanson said.

Even if that drive doesn’t come to fruition as planned, Stephanson maintained the city will keep moving forward on the housing project.

“If it doesn’t happen this year, it’ll happen in ‘17,” he said.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Jordan Hoffman-Nelson watches the store cameras for a couple hours each day, often detecting 5 to 10 thefts in a single sitting. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
At a Lynnwood thrift store, rising shoplifting mirrors larger retail crime surge

Employees at Bella’s Voice remain alert for theft on a daily basis. They aren’t the only ones.

Connect Casino Road Director Alvaro Gullien speaks at an Everett City Council meeting to share community thoughts regarding affordable housing and preventing displacement of those that live along Casino Road on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will Everett’s comprehensive plan work in Casino Road?

Residents in the diverse, tight-knit neighborhood want “Investment without displacement.” The city’s plan will help achieve that, staff say.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.