On the same day Point In Time volunteers will spread out over Everett’s neighborhoods counting people experiencing homelessness, Catholic Housing Services and the City of Everett will break ground on the first of several low barrier housing projects in the city. Here are the details if you’d like to attend.
The site is at 6107 Berkshire Drive in the center of Everett.
City Council approved the property transfer to CHS on Jan. 3, providing the land where they will build supportive housing for 65 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The City retains control over how the property will be used through approved land covenants, but CHS will now own the property, build the apartment facility and partner with Catholic Community Services (CCS) to provide case management and around-the-clock residential support for the new tenants.
“When Mayor Stephanson launched the Safe Streets plan, he made building supportive, low-barrier housing for individuals experiencing homelessness a top priority, and I’m honored to carry forward that vision,” said Mayor Cassie Franklin. “Providing housing for everyone who needs it will be critical to our success as a community, and I look forward to helping welcome the first residents into their apartments next year.”
As part of the City’s Safe Streets plan to address homelessness, addiction and mental illness, former Mayor Ray Stephanson committed in late 2015 to building a secure supportive, low-barrier housing facility in Everett. After a comprehensive review of nearly 40 properties, City staff proposed the Berkshire site in spring 2016. The City Council then selected CHS to develop and operate supportive housing at the proposed site.
“We have been providing housing and supportive services in Snohomish County for many years, and we have seen the positive impact this type of housing has had in communities throughout western Washington,” said Rob Van Tassell, vice president of Housing and Community Development for CHS. “We are proud to build our newest project here in Everett and look forward to being a good neighbor and opening doors for the most vulnerable members of our community.”
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the site of the supportive housing project at 6107 Berkshire Drive. Franklin will speak, as well as other partners involved in funding and bringing the project to Everett and Snohomish County.
Construction will begin shortly after the groundbreaking, and is expected to last for 13-15 months. CHS expects the facility to be fully leased by the middle of 2019. After completion, CHS will name the building after a saint.
Tenants who are qualified to live in the building are those identified by the County’s coordinated entry system, which matches individuals experiencing homelessness with appropriate housing opportunities based on vulnerability. According to the 2017 Point in Time Count, 313 individuals are chronically homeless in Snohomish County, up 48 percent from 2016.
For more information on the project, visit www.everettwa.gov/housingfirst.
January 20, 2018
Everett Government