EVERETT—Snohomish County, in partnership with the Salvation Army, opened its second New Start Center Friday, August 28, which will provide time-limited bridge housing to unhoused individuals, along with wraparound services such as case management, behavioral health support, employment assistance, and eventual connections to permanent housing.
Back in 2022, the Snohomish County Council voted to approve usage of American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase two hotels – the Day’s Inn facility in Everett, and America’s Best Value Inn in Edmonds – to be converted into bridge housing facilities for those suffering from housing insecurity.
The first of these facilities, called ‘New Start Centers’, to open was Edmonds on July 1 with a total of 55 units. Nearly two months later, it currently has about 10 occupants.
Everett’s New Start Center will have 73 units, each complete with a single bed, bathroom, desk, microwave, mini fridge, wife, and wardrobe. Occupants will be provided with three meals a day, and have access to an onsite laundromat, dining hall, and resources provided by onsite Salvation Army staff. The facility will also be gated and have twenty-four-seven security.
About 100 people gathered Friday to celebrate the opening of the Everett New Start Center, touring the facility before networking and listening to remarks.
The ceremony opened with Lt. Colonel Kelly Pontsler, Divisional Commander with the Salvation Army’s Northwest Division, thanking the list of community partners who made the project possible while emphasizing that the new facility will literally change lives.
“We believe change is possible. We believe people can overcome obstacles. We believe tomorrow can look different than today. We believe every person deserves the opportunity to take that next step forward,” said Lt. Colonel Kelly. “People are bigger than their current circumstances. It’s easier to define someone by the challenge they’re facing, but we are called to see the person first; to see their dignity, to see their potential, to meet them where they are, and to walk alongside them as they move towards something better. And that’s what excites us about the New Start Center. Because it represents new opportunities for the people who walk though these doors.”
Talking on behalf of the county, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers shared a personal story that his brother needed transitional housing several years ago and got that help.
Somers was happy to report Friday that the project is on budget at just under $22 million, all of which was paid for using ARPA funds.
Somers also continued that this year’s Point in Time (PIT) count indicated that Snohomish County had the lowest rate of individuals suffering from homelessness than any other county in Washington of similar size at about 63 per 100,000 compared to other counties that had over 100 per 100,000.
“That’s still way too many people who don’t have shelter but we’re making progress,” said Somers.
Snohomish County Councilwoman Megan Dunn followed Executive Somers to share some sentiments of her own. Councilwoman Dunn was one of three votes who approved the New Start Center projects back in 2022. The two No votes came from county council members Sam Low and Nate Nehring.
“What followed,” Councilwoman Dunn said, “were years of what most of us didn’t expect: asbestos, contamination, frozen pipes – delay after delay. But we didn’t walk away from it because that need didn’t walk away either. And today that need will become over 70 rooms and 70 new chances at new lives.”
Everett City Council Vice President Paula Rhyne spoke on behalf of the City of Everett, sharing that the city believes that everyone deserves a safe place to live, and a real opportunity to build a stable future.
“For people working to move out of homelessness, transitional housing can be that bridge between crises and stability. It gives people a safe place to land, a door they can lock behind them, and a safe place to rest and renew and have access to services and support they need as they take that next step towards permanent housing,” said Rhyne. “It’s investments like the New Start Centers that are going to make a real difference in the fight to end homelessness.”
Captain Gin Pack, with the Salvation Army, shared an overview on the services Everett’s New Start Center will provide, from three meals a day to laundered linens weekly.
On intake, Pack continued, each resident will complete a Comprehensive Needs Assessment to create individual service plans. From there, Salvation Army staff will work alongside them to navigate housing, behavioral health, employment services, legal services, advocacy, and life skill coaching.
“We also recognize our responsibility extends beyond these walls and beyond the people living here. We’re committed to being a good neighbor,” said Pack. “Today isn’t just about opening a building. We’re opening a space where someone can sleep safely while working towards permanent housing. For each person who walks through these doors, our hope is that this place lives up to its name: a new start.”
The center will also offer connections to medical and dental care, assistance with employment and benefits, life skills development, and connections to permanent housing.
The New Start Center, located at 1602 SE Everett Mall Way in Everett, will open in mid-September. It, like its sister project in Edmonds, will do a slow roll in occupancy beginning with 10-12 individuals initially and slowly build up to its maximum occupancy of 73 as time goes on.
The requirements of acceptance include at least 90-days of active sobriety, a background check, and individuals must already be working with a Salvation Army Case Manager. Admittance is by referral only.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
