Everett Diversion Center To Begin Serving People Experiencing Homelessness In Snohomish County

When one of the three embedded social workers within the Snohomish County Sheriff’s asks someone in unincorporated Snohomish County if they are ready to get off the street right now and that person answers “yes”, a new facility in downtown Everett may become their first stop.

Today Governor Jay Inslee toured the Snohomish County Diversion Center adjacent to the Snohomish County Jail on Wall street in downtown Everett.

Inslee met two women formerly experiencing homelessness and heard directly how having a place to take someone immediately after they say “yes” to the question, Are you ready? will make a big difference in the success rate of people with drug issues, mental health issues or experiencing homelessness. The goal is to keep people out of jail, off the streets and lead them back to a productive life.

“This is something we want to replicate statewide,” said Inslee. “I am dedicated to making this happen.” Inslee has proposed $500,000.00 in the State budget for the Snohomish County Program, the first of its kind in the State. There are 44 beds available divided into sections for both men and women.

Governor Inslee invited the two women who spoke with him about their past experiences on the street to come to Olympia and testify in front of the legislature. “We have three crises in Washington State: The opioid crisis, homelessness and jails full of people with mental health issues,” said Inslee. “Western State Hospital is stuffed and the solution to this lies with the counties across the State stepping up with programs like this.”

The facility is expected to open in late March or early April beginning with people contacted by social workers with the Sheriff’s Office. After a trial period, social workers with Everett Police may be added to the list of who can refer clients to the diversion center.

“We want to make sure we work out all of the various issues before we open the program wider,” said Cammy Hart-Anderson. She’s a division manager with Snohomish County Human Services. “We’re excited to have this as a tool for when people say Yes, I’m ready.” While people will be brought to Everett from throughout the county to downtown Everett people who do not wish to stay in the program will not be released in downtown Everett but will be taken back to the area from where they were last contacted. The average stay for people brought to the center is expected to be fifteen days.