County Council Approves Funds For Low Barrier Housing In Everett

December 11, 2017

Everett Government

low barrier

It looks like groundbreaking will happen in January.

While there has been some concern that time was running out to complete the complex funding pieces for a low barrier housing project on Berkshire Drive in Everett, it appears things are moving forward for a January groundbreaking.

This morning the Snohomish County Council approved a loan agreement for $1.6 million dollars with Catholic Housing Services which was the final piece of the funding needed for the project to move forward. On Wednesday the Everett City Council will get a briefing on the status of the project.

As part of the proposed property transfer, the City has requested a 50-year use-restriction covenant on the land, which will go before City Council for approval. The covenant includes safeguards regulating how the property can be used and defines the population served. For example, the proposed covenant establishes that the facility will serve chronically homeless individuals; specifies classes of prohibited residents, such as sex offenders; and requires a City-approved management and operations plan with 24-hour staffing, neighborhood outreach, and on-site service expectations.

The other final actions requiring Council approval are the property surplus, the real estate transaction that will transfer the property to CHS, and construction covenants that require the project be built in accordance with specific approved plans. Following the Dec. 13 briefing, council members will have several weeks for discussion and review; the actions are scheduled for a vote on Jan. 3, 2018.

With Council’s approval, CHS expects to close on the project and break ground on the new facility by mid-January. The land is valued at approximately $360,000; CHS has been able to use the City’s proposed land donation to secure the local, state and federal housing funding needed to develop and construct the project.

On Dec. 1, the City issued a notice of Finding of No Significant Impact under the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) with a 30-day comment period, which will enable CHS to finalize the commitment of ongoing operation support from the Everett Housing Authority through project-based vouchers worth close to $9 million over the next 15 years.
For more information on the project, visit the project page on the city’s website here.



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