Everett officials have questions about a 125-room hotel shelter

City Council members say they weren’t aware of the county’s proposal until it made headlines.

EVERETT — As Snohomish County looks to convert a local hotel into emergency housing, some city officials are raising concerns.

The county plans to turn a yet-to-be-chosen Everett hotel into a 24/7 shelter with on-site services, a strategy mirrored in neighboring counties and states.

Around-the-clock, non-congregate shelters are “probably the most rapidly successful models in the country,” Snohomish County Human Services Director MJ Brell Vujovic told City Council members this week. About 44% of Snohomish County residents living on the street are in Everett.

But some City Council members expressed frustration Wednesday that neighboring towns aren’t doing more to address homelessness.

Bringing social services to Everett is a “vicious circle” that draws in more people who rely on them, Councilmember Scott Bader said.

“Frankly, I’d be willing to bet money that five years down the line, despite your best efforts, we won’t have any of our partner jurisdictions in the county step up and do anything similar,” Bader said.

The outgoing council member wants the facility to only serve those living in city limits. He also suggested a no-sit no-lie ordinance, like the one targeting homeless people in north Everett that the City Council adopted in March.

Councilmember Paul Roberts agreed Everett has carried a “disproportionate burden” when it comes to homelessness. But it’s not a reason to stop addressing local needs, he said.

There was a 59% increase this year in people calling 211 requesting housing and shelter resources, said Mike Fong, Snohomish County’s chief recovery and resiliency officer.

Using existing structures rather than starting from scratch “makes so much sense to me,” council President Brenda Stonecipher said.

“The idea of us getting a significant portion of our unhoused population in Everett (sheltered) … is very exciting,” she said.

Those housed in the shelter would be expected to stay an average of 180 nights. The county is looking for a hotel with about 125 beds, away from residential neighborhoods. Snohomish County already leases out motel rooms to provide emergency shelter. In those instances, Vujovic said, there haven’t been major complaints from neighbors.

Fewer people on the streets could mean fewer to law enforcement, she added, ultimately saving money.

Snohomish County will use federal COVID relief funds to buy the property, and is looking to replicate the plan in other cities.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin has described the plan as an exciting opportunity that the city likely couldn’t afford on its own. Council members, meanwhile, only learned about the plan through media reports. Some considered asking the county to pump the brakes.

Two incoming City Council members, Mary Fosse and Paula Rhyne, said that would “send the wrong message.” In a joint letter to sitting council members, the duo said their constituents “overwhelmingly identified homelessness as their number one priority,” and that the plan shouldn’t be delayed.

The project is still in its infancy. A hotel hasn’t been chosen yet. Once that happens, the county will begin outreach to neighbors, likely in the first quarter of 2022.

To ensure transparency with city residents, Councilmember Judy Tuohy said the public should be given extra time to ask questions and make comments on the proposal.

Claudia Yaw: 425-339-3449; claudia.yaw@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @yawclaudia.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Everett Fire Department’s color guard Jozef Mendoza, left, and Grady Persons, right, parade the colors at the end of the ceremony on Worker’s Memorial Day on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County officials honor Worker’s Memorial Day

Work-related injuries kill thousands of people nationwide every year.

x
Edmonds to host open house for 2025 draft development code updates

The event will provide residents with information about middle housing and neighborhood centers and hubs.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

Freylands Elementary fifth grader Vaughn Kipnis takes a turn shoveling dirt to help plant a Niobe Golden Weeping Willow along the banks of Lake Tye during an Arbor Day celebration at Lake Tye Park on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Students from Mrs. Sager and Mrs. Slater’s classes took a field trip to help the city plant the park’s newest tree. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Enjoy spring weather for Arbor Day celebrations

Towns across the county are getting in on tree-planting festivities on Friday and Saturday.

Man steals delivery van in Brier, deputies seek help identifying suspect

A man stole a delivery van Wednesday afternoon in Brier… Continue reading

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.