EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council unanimously authorized a plan Wednesday to spend just over $130 million on affordable housing and behavioral health services over the next five years.
The program lays out plans to build and purchase 550 more affordable homes in 2024. It would also add 150 units of new emergency “bridge and permanent supportive housing,” similar to the hotels in Edmonds and Everett purchased by the county last year.
The county will pay for this largely through a 0.1% countywide sales tax, authorized by the state Legislature in 2020. A smaller source of revenue comes from a tax credit, also authorized by the Legislature.
The council approved the tax 3-2, along party lines, with the three Democratic members voting in favor.
The county began collecting the sales taxes last year. While the plan only lays out $114 million in spending, the county will have collected over $130 million from the two tax revenues by 2026. A roughly $20 million surplus will account for inflation or unexpected costs.
Here’s how the funds will be spent:
• More than $92 million to acquire, create and maintain affordable and emergency housing;
• Over $10 million to construct behavioral health facilities;
• Another $8 million to help people get jobs, child care, education and legal support;
• More than $3 million to administer the fund and evaluate the plan.
Snohomish County’s annual point-in-time count in January found 691 people unsheltered and 594 people sheltered but without homes this year.
The County Council also voted 4-1 on Wednesday to require an annual expense update for the plan, with council member Megan Dunn opposed.
Jenelle Baumbach: 360-352-8623; jenelle.baumbach@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jenelleclar.
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