Everett has a secret.

It’s kept in a large, four-level building on Hoyt Avenue, and it’s a secret artists might want to know.

Artspace, a popular nationwide housing network for artists, has staked out a space in Everett.

Usually when the organization opens new housing and studios, the lofts rent before the building is officially open. Then there’s the waiting list. For the two locations in Seattle, the list has more than 500 names.

Artspace Everett Lofts opened a few weeks ago, and about a third of 40 units are still available.

The managers say it could be because the complex opened about a month early, or maybe it’s because the building looks like it’s still under construction. Whatever the reason, the lofts aren’t moving as quickly as expected.

“The precedent is, they’re sold out before the building opens up, and from that point on there’s a waiting list,” manager Heidi Heimarck said. “This is an anomaly now.”

Co-manager Liam Cole moved from one of the Seattle Artspaces to live in Everett.

“This really is Seattle of the 1990s,” he said. “This is where it’s going to happen. I could see the potential here is amazing.”

He doesn’t know exactly why more local artists aren’t flocking to the low-rent space.

“No one seems to know about it,” he said. “It’s here. It’s happening. Get in now.”

Applicants must demonstrate commitment to the arts, but the quality of their work is not judged in the application process.

To qualify, an artist needs to earn less than $35,400 a year. Lower rates are available for those who make less than $29,500. Rent for a one-bedroom loft is $749 or $850 depending on income level.

Different rates apply to couples and roommates, but their combined income can’t exceed $40,440.

The idea is to provide an affordable place for artists to create, and protect that space as cities and neighborhoods become more gentrified and expensive.

Artspace works to break a cycle played out across the country, a cycle that ends with artists getting pushed out of communities they helped define.

“Artists will kind of tend to congregate and come together,” Cole said. “Usually then the businesses grow around that, and the area becomes gentrified. Artists are pushed out and the rents go up.”

He added: “What Artspace sees is that we can have some kind of rent control so artists can stay. Gentrification still happens, but artists can still afford to live there.”

For details, call the Artspace office at 425-252-5935.