EVERETT — The city of Everett plans to open its third tiny-home shelter site in December for women and children experiencing homelessness.
On Oct. 29, the City Council approved agreements with Volunteers of America Western Washington for the 20-unit Pallet shelter site at Sievers Duecy Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue.
Pallet, an Everett-based company, makes tiny homes designed to be built in less than one hour per unit. In addition to the 20 pallets, the site will house two community buildings and restroom facilities. The site will also have 24/7 security. The city anticipates the program will last for two years, according to the project summary provided to the council. Volunteers of America will manage the site, per the management agreement.
The city and Volunteers of America aim to provide stable housing for single women and their children, with the goal of moving participants into more permanent housing within a year. Participants would also receive wraparound services, case management support and education, Everett Community Development Director Julie Willie told The Daily Herald in May.
In 2022, the city allocated $2.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds for Pallet shelter projects. Of that, $1.6 million will go toward a reimbursement grant with Volunteers of America. An additional $75,000 from county-awarded affordable housing funds will support the site.
In 2024, nearby residents of the site filed an appeal with the city hearing examiner. The group argued that Everett’s comprehensive plan barred the city from using the land as a temporary shelter site. After the hearing examiner dismissed the appeal, the group filed another appeal in Snohomish County Superior Court. The city reached a settlement with the group in March, city spokesperson Simone Tarver told The Daily Herald in May.
In July 2021, the city opened its first village at Smith Avenue and 37th Street, managed by Everett Gospel Mission. Since then, the village doubled in size, from 20 to 40 units. Another site, Madison Family Shelter, reopened in April after a hiatus. The eight-unit village is located behind Faith Lutheran Church and is a collaboration between the church and Interfaith Family Shelter. Within Madison Family Shelter’s first year, the project served 22 families, with 70% of them transitioning to permanent, supportive housing within 90 days
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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