County Approves Purchase Of Days Inn Hotel In Everett

Today the Snohomish County Council approved a plan we told you about last week to convert the Days Inn, just north of the Everett Mall into bridge housing with wraparound services for those experiencing homelessness. The County Council also approved the purchase of a hotel in Edmonds for the same purpose. Here’s a press release from the County on the action.

 

The Snohomish County Council voted to approve Executive Dave Somers’s proposal to convert two hotels into bridge housing with wraparound services. Combined, the Days Inn in Everett and the America’s Best Value Inn in Edmonds will create 129 new units of time-limited bridge housing for residents without shelter. The County is using its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase both of these facilities.

 

“Communities across Snohomish County have made clear that stabilizing and supporting our vulnerable residents is a top priority. These individuals and our neighborhoods are safer and stronger when we provide pathways to wraparound services, treatment for those in need, employment assistance, and access to housing,” said Executive Somers. “I’m glad the County Council acted with urgency to finalize these two hotel purchases. This expansion in bridge housing and services will make Snohomish County a better and safer place for everyone to live, work, and play.”

 

“Today’s vote to purchase these hotels for housing and wraparound services is a great step towards effectively and efficiently addressing homelessness in Snohomish County,” said County Council Chair Megan Dunn (District 2). “The public has continually identified the need for helping our unsheltered get back on their feet and providing safe and stable housing of this nature is not just critical to achieving that shared priority, but humane to those who are suffering on our streets. I’m proud that the Council was not willing to jeopardize the funding and this transaction with ineffective mandates.”

 

“I am proud to support the County’s unique approach to provide services and assistance to those who are most vulnerable in our community. I am confident that this investment will help create safer, healthier, and stronger communities for us all,” said Vice Chair Jared Mead (District 4).

 

“The housing and wraparound services made available through this effort will increase public safety while reducing many of the dangers, anxieties, and roadblocks experienced by our most vulnerable,” said Councilmember Stephanie Wright (District 3). “I’m glad we’ve acted on this great opportunity to help people change their lives for the better. This housing will have a lasting positive impact on our Snohomish County communities.”

 

Over the last two weeks, Executive Somers has proposed three distinct investments to significantly boost bridge housing and behavioral health services across the county:

1. Shelter & Behavioral Health Partnership Program – 36 new units
2. Days Inn hotel purchase – 74 new units
3. America’s Best hotel purchase – 55 new units

 

In total, these three projects will create 165 spaces in 2022 alone, representing a 26 percent increase in Snohomish County’s system capacity.

 

Both facilities will serve unsheltered adults in Snohomish County. In addition to time-limited bridge housing, individuals will have access to wraparound services, including food, hygiene, employment services, legal services, mental health services, and substance use disorder services. The facility will also have 24/7 on-site staffing and services.

 

Now that the purchase is finalized, Snohomish County will conduct extensive on-site assessments of both facilities to determine any needed renovations. In addition, the County will issue a Request for Proposals for service providing organizations to help operate the facilities. The County will also continue community outreach to ensure residents and organizations can learn more about the program, provide input on implementation, and ask questions.

 

Executive Somers established the Office of Recovery & Resilience to guide the county’s recovery work by ensuring federal pandemic relief is administered quickly, effectively, and equitably. Information on the county’s recovery work can be found at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/recovery.