Housing First Forum Monday in Downtown Everett

Following up on the Housing First Forum on November 16th, featuring Lloyd Pendleton from Utah, the City of Everett has invited the public to participate in another Housing First Forum.

It will Happen Monday night, February 1st at the Historic Everett Theatre in downtown Everett. Admission is free and the forum will start at 6:30 PM.

Here’s an overview of what to expect…

The event will feature panelists from around the state participating in a moderated discussion about different approaches to low-barrier, permanent supportive housing in their communities. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the panelists.

“Last fall we had the chance to learn about how Utah reduced homelessness by 91 percent through the Housing First model,” said Mayor Ray Stephanson. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this model has been implemented in Washington state.”

Panelists include Kelli Larsen, director of strategic initiatives for the Plymouth Housing Group; Daniel Malone, executive director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center; Dr. Robert McCann, executive director of Catholic Charities Spokane; and Mary Jane Brell Vujovic, director of Snohomish County Human Services.

“We are making progress on our commitment to house 20 of Everett’s chronically homeless by June, and we are in the early stages of a capital project to build a facility that will house 60 more,” said Stephanson. “I encourage our community to come out and continue this conversation with us.”

For more information about the Feb. 1 event and the Community Streets Initiative, visit www.everettwa.gov/streetsinitiative.

On Monday afternoon a panel of elected representatives including Governor Jay Inslee, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers will have a roundtable discussion among elected officials and countywide service providers.

The discussion will focus on how to expand the Housing First model throughout Snohomish County, and will include panelists from around the state that have created low-barrier housing in their communities. That event is not open to the public but many of the same people will be at the public forum at 6:30 PM.