EVERETT — The Everett City Council took a final vote Wednesday to approve the plans for low-barrier housing on Berkshire Drive.
The vote to transfer land to Catholic Housing Services was 6-0. New Councilwoman Ethel McNeal, who was appointed moments earlier, abstained.
The site is supposed to be developed into a 65-unit complex with around-the-clock staffing. The construction budget is $10.5 million. Most of the costs are borne by Catholic Housing Services and funded by tax credits and grants, which the city helped secure.
The land to be transferred is worth about $360,000. The deal includes paperwork that says Catholic Housing Services must honor the intent for low-barrier housing for at least 50 years.
The location has been controversial with neighbors, who have been critical of the city’s handling of the project. Two of them spoke against the housing during Wednesday night’s public hearing. The vote followed.
The units primarily are for the chronically homeless or those living with mental illness. About half the residents would be from Everett. Tenants cannot have convictions for arson, sex crimes or producing methamphetamine.
The city has called the site “Safe Streets Supportive Housing.” Catholic Housing Services is likely to choose a new name. Groundbreaking is planned for later this month.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
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