In an effort to address homelessness in Snohomish County, the county authorized the purchase of two blighted hotels in 2022 to renovate into supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. Known as the New Start Centers, the Everett location will be operated by The Salvation Army, the Edmonds location will be operated by the YWCA. Together both locations will have more than 110 units available to people who are homeless.
In January, council unanimously approved operating contracts for both New Start Centers. The sites will provide housing combined with case management, health care navigation, and other support services. The on-site support services are essential to help people experiencing homelessness access the resources they need to move towards a more stable pathway.
As part of the approval, the council emphasized the need for strong reporting measures. I proposed an amendment that would bring detailed performance data back to council to illuminate outcomes and also identify any barriers to residents moving into and through this system. This report back will allow council to make adjustments to future contracts if needed. I have concerns about restrictions that were put in place for placement for who can be referred to the centers and will be following this closely to ensure that these facilities are fully utilized.
With these contracts in place, providers can finalize preparations and begin opening the facilities in the coming months, and I look forward to the ribbon cutting ceremonies and opening these centers which will be a real tangible step towards helping ensure that everyone in Snohomish County has a safe and dignified place to call home.
The week prior to the vote to approve the contract for the New Start Centers was a poignant reminder of the importance of adequate housing in our county. I attended the Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day in Olympia with over 800 other supporters of housing and had the opportunity to meet with local legislators to express our support for several upcoming bills that will help to move the needle on housing and homelessness issues.
That same week I also volunteered to participate in the Point In Time Count (“PIT Count”) in Snohomish County. Paula and I joined volunteers to fan out across the county to interview and count people experiencing homelessness. This annual count helps inform our efforts to address homelessness to ensure that programs are working, and is also required to be eligible for several state and federal funding sources. Paula and I were paired up with Elias with our county’s Human Services Department and were assigned an area in SE Everett near Silver Lake. We looked through parks and behind businesses but did not locate any individuals who had not been counted that day. While looking in alleyways, woods, and near dumpsters I was reminded of the dire conditions people experiencing homelessness are faced with every minute to survive outside. I’m proud of the work that our county is doing through zoning reforms, nonprofit support, and the New Start Centers to help provide enough housing for everyone in our county and will continue to support these efforts.
I will share the PIT Count totals in late spring when they become available.
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Meeting with State Senator June Robinson to share more about our legislative asks during Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day in Olympia |
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With my Aide, Paula, and Elias with County Human Services during volunteering for the Point in Time Count. |
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I’m excited to share that the Snohomish County Council is now accepting applications for our inaugural Legislative Page Program open to young people between 14-17 years of age. This program will provide ten participants, two from each council district, with an inside look at how county government operates. I initiated this program along with Councilmember Nehring as part of our 2025 Council Leadership Initiatives and I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition with the hard work of several staff members. Staff have done extensive research and coordinated with other county elected leaders to model the program offered in the State Legislature. The program will run for one week from April 27-May 1, from 8-3p, and to qualify a participant must have parent or guardian permission, provide a teacher recommendation, and reside in the county. Applications are due March 16.
Snohomish County now has eleven confirmed cases of measles making the largest outbreak our region has seen in decades. The Health Department is actively monitoring the situation and has a public dashboard so residents can stay informed about exposure sites and guidance. Vaccination remains the best protection, and several community vaccine clinics are scheduled in the coming weeks including one on Valentine’s Day from 11-3 at the Everett Public Schools Community Resource Center focused on families of Everett Public School students. As Chair of the Board of Health, I am following this closely to ensure residents have clear information and support needed to keep our community safe and healthy.
Last month I shared the work I have been doing to sponsor an affinity group here at Snohomish County called the “SnoCo Stitchers”. We meet twice a month over the lunch hour to knit, crochet, and make fiber art crafts. We recently initiated a fun art installation here on the county campus in conjunction with Valentine’s Day we called “Healthy Hearts” where we knitted together decorations to hang from the rafters in the main plaza. Many thanks to Facilities and all the SnoCo Stitchers who put in work towards this employee wellness effort! The hearts will be up through the month of February.
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Thank you to facilities staff Brandon (pictured) and Chuck who worked to hang the garland! |
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With a couple of the SnoCo Stitcher Members, Cheri and Jocelyn, to help with the installation. |
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If you or someone you know is looking for temporary or seasonal work, Snohomish County is now hiring for a number of seasonal jobs and events:
Snohomish County will also hire for summer support at our Parks and Fairgrounds and I’ll repost these seasonal jobs on my Facebook page as they come available.
Snohomish County Parks is responsible for over 100 parks across the county and miles of fresh and salt water shorelines. With summer coming up, I wanted to make sure you were aware that reservations for county picnic shelters, campsites, yurts, and cabins for 2026 will be released in two phases. Reservations are currently open for visits with check-out dates on or before June 30. Phase II for reservations after June 30 will be released starting at 9am on Tuesday, February 17. Please note that due to construction, the shelters at Kayak Point may open later.
I am continuing to serve as a board member for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and wanted to share this wood stove recycling incentive with you. The PSCAA Wood Stove Recycling Program offers a $500 reward when you recycle your old wood stove. Qualifying devices are those which don’t meet a 2020 EPA standard and are typically wood stoves or fireplace inserts that are uncertified. For more information and to sign up, please click here.
The Snohomish County Adopt-A-Road Program began in 2008 as a partnership between volunteer groups and the county to keep roadsides free of litter, enhance the quality of the environment, and promote community pride. The program is managed by the Snohomish County Public Works department. Adopt-A-Road groups work countywide to keep roadsides free of litter, enhance the quality of our environment, and promote community pride. Program information and available road sections can be found on the county’s Public Works page here.
Neighborhood Forest, a national nonprofit, is partnering with the Everett Public Library to provide free trees for kids. Their mission is to give young people the opportunity to plant and care for their own tree, and enjoy watching it grow. Register for your tree by March 15 and trees will arrive before Earth Day (April 22).
Sponsored by the Korean Community Service Center, Mukilteo is celebrating the Lunar New Year on Thursday, Feb 12, from 5-8p at the Rosehill Community Center. This free family-friendly celebration of culture and connection will help ring in the Year of the Horse. While joining, you can enjoy food, activity, information booths, and traditional dance performances.
The Port of Everett is also celebrating the Lunar New Year on the waterfront on Saturday, February 21, at 1p. This is their third annual celebration and is hosted in partnership with Fisherman Jack’s. The celebration will include a lion dance performed by the Northwest Kung Fu & Fitness group. Festivities will take place at the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza.
The Snohomish County Human Rights Commission’s February Movie Night will feature the documentary "Police on Trial," which explores the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, including the current reform work still happening in Minneapolis. This event will be hosted in the Activity Room at the Main Everett Library (2702 Hoyt Ave.) on Thursday, February 26. The free film will start at 6:00 PM with closed captioning provided. No RSVP is necessary, and light snacks will be provided.
It's an exciting month to love all that it means to support our Snohomish County community and neighbors. Here's some pictures from being out 'n about this month:
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I was asked to present at LETI's first Immersion Seminar earlier this month and appreciated the opportunity. |
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I provided an update to the Mukilteo City Council at their February 9 meeting. |
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With other volunteers and advocates from Snohomish County at the Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day in Olympia |
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