EVERETT—The City of Everett, in partnership with the Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW), cut the ribbon on a brand-new Pallet Shelter Village in Everett Monday, April 27, which will have the capacity to house 20 women (with up to three children each) currently experiencing homelessness.
In addition to the 20, 100-square foot, individual units, the community has detached restrooms, a shower, a community kitchen and gathering place, and a playground.
The City of Everett allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to the project, which was built on city-owned land off Sievers Deucey Boulevard, beginning a little over two years ago. VOAWW will be providing the wraparound services including recovery assistance and job assistance, and the structures themselves were built by Pallet Shelters. Snohomish County allocated $250,000 to the project.
The timing of the ribbon-cutting ceremony could not have been more perfect, VOAWW CEO Brian Smith said at yesterday’s event – being just a couple of weeks before Mother’s Day.
“Motherhood is often celebrated with flowers and cards and rightfully so, but at its core it’s about something much more powerful; it’s about protection. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about doing whatever you can to create a better, safer, world for your children,” said Smith. “For many of the women living here that instinct to protect, to provide, to persevere has never been in question. The one thing that’s been missing for them has been a safe, and stable, place to do it in.”
The new Pallet Shelter Village is not just about a temporary shelter, Smith continued, it’s about dignity, stability, and the quiet powerful things that many people take for granted like a good night’s rest, a safe place for a child to do their homework, and a moment to breathe without fear. For Smith the pallets represent more than a structure, they represent a step forward towards possibility.
“As we head into Mother’s Day my hope is this place becomes something more than shelter, it becomes a place where mother’s can rest, regain their strength, and continue doing what they’ve always done; caring and protecting the future of their children,” said Smith.
Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin followed Smith with some remarks of her own.
“Safe, stable, shelter is foundational especially for women and children. This site offers so much more than shelter, it has access to service and support, providing that sense of safety and belonging, a place where these families can start a new chapter to life,” said Mayor Franklin. “What this represents for the City of Everett is our balanced approach, combining compassion and accountability with real solutions.”
Mayor Franklin concluded her remarks by thanking the several partners who made the pallet village a reality, committing the City of Everett to continuing the work, before introducing VOAWW’s Executive Director of Housing Services Galina Volchkova to the podium.
“Life can be very unpredictable. Even when we plan to face any challenges, some unforeseen situations can happen, and you can lose everything. No one plans to be homeless, especially when you’re a parent caring for children, when they’re looking up to you as a role model, relying on you for your love, for your support, and they expect to see you smile. But it’s hard to smile when you don’t have a roof over your head. And it’s hard to make changes really quickly,” said Volchkova.
Volchkova shared a story about a mother who told her children that they were “camping” while living in their car. While the children thought it was fun at first, when the cold and wet season began, they asked their mother if they could go home. The mother – who was working hard at Jack n’ the Box, and had to quit college after divorce to take care of her two children – had to look her children in the eye and tell them they didn’t have a home anymore.
“This place is not permanent housing, but it will offer a safe place to sleep, take a shower, do laundry, celebrate a child’s birthday, have a community,” said Volchkova.
The pallet homes are reserved for mothers who are actively working on their recovery or self-sufficiency goals, Valchkova added. The main goal is to find permanent housing for these mothers within 12 months, while connecting them to resources and services.
Everett City Council President Don Schwab commented on how the enshrouding trees are representative of the perceived safety of the place…though he also sees challenges.
“I see opposition. I see lack of education by those who don’t understand what we can achieve here when we work together. I see neighbors that don’t understand. Neighbors that don’t talk to each other. But I also see a staff, and a Mayor, a County, and the VOA working hard to try and educate those around this facility, to understand how we can make this better. I see a council that has leaned into opposition and really spent time with those who have a different perspective. I see a gem that’s being polished, and I do see something that we can use as an example to move further into our needs,” said Schwab.
Also in attendance was Mountlake Terrace Mayor Dr. Steve Woodard, Washington State Representative Sam Low, and County Council members Strom Peterson, Nate Nehring, and Jared Mead, to name a few.
“I appreciate the partnership with VOA, this is 20 units of transitional housing that will really help those who are struggling, to get them out of cars, and out of the roads, and into temporary housing. It’s really exciting for the community and I’m really excited to be here today,” Rep. Sam Low (and County Councilman) told the Lynnwood Times.
The City of Everett and VOAWW’s brand new Pallet Shelter Village has already begun accepting applications with hopes of moving in families by mid-May. Applications are conducted through coordinated entry and via partnerships with the Everett School District. Drug tests are administered at the time of application. Call 360-VOA-HELP (360-862-4357) to screen for eligibility and placement.
A look inside the pallet homes
Author: Kienan Briscoe
