Local leaders cheer after a ribbon is cut at HopeWorks Station on Friday in Everett. The building will have 65 units for families, veterans and young adults. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Local leaders cheer after a ribbon is cut at HopeWorks Station on Friday in Everett. The building will have 65 units for families, veterans and young adults. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Hundreds gather for HopeWorks Station opening in Everett

Inside, housing and other resources are available for those who are homeless or living in poverty.

EVERETT — Once Stephen Biggs moves into his new apartment, he plans to find a job and begin a new chapter of his young life.

Biggs, 23, is soon going to live in the brand-new HopeWorks Station on Broadway in Everett.

He had nowhere to go before finding the apartment. At first he was couch-hopping, and later became homeless.

“This gives me a lot of stability I haven’t had in years,” Biggs said. “My life is going to change for the better.”

On Friday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered at HopeWorks Station for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building at 3315 Broadway has been under construction for more than a year. The center provides housing, job training and social services for people who are homeless or live in poverty.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Biggs grew up in Monroe, but lately has been staying all over the place, he said. He heard about the new apartments through the Snohomish County human services department.

Biggs doesn’t have a stable income now, but hopes to find a permanent job once he moves in. He’s gone to trade school before and doesn’t plan to use the center’s job training.

HopeWorks Station has a few options for people to build work experience — at a landscaping business called GroundWorks, at a home and decor consignment store called ReNewWorks and at a restaurant now called Kindred Kitchen. It used to be CafeWorks.

Kindred Kitchen is on the ground floor of HopeWorks Station. It opens for business in a couple of weeks and will serve breakfast, lunch and coffee.

Behind the service counter are shiny stainless steel appliances and open shelves made of wood and metal. One wall is dark gray and the rest are white. Modern furnishings fill the seating area, and natural light spills in through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Upstairs, there are 65 apartment units with studios, and one- and two-bedrooms available. Most are reserved for veterans, families in drug court and young people ages 16 to 24 who don’t have stable housing.

Each unit has a gauge that displays in real time how much energy is being used, and every floor has a recycling center. There also are 532 solar panels on the roof to help power the building.

All of the apartment doors open to a central outdoor courtyard with greenery, wood beams and strings of lights.

Local leaders gave speeches during Friday’s event, including Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.

“As I got a tour I was thinking of the residents, and the abuse and neglect and trauma they’ve experienced,” she said. “Then I started thinking about the support and compassion and training they are going to get in this building, and I did get teary. I’m teary now.”

After, everyone was invited to take a tour. Some were there to see their new apartments.

Andrew Pliss, 34, is moving onto the third floor. He’s looking forward to his view of the Cascade Range.

A while back, Pliss lost custody of his children. He’s now in Family Drug Treatment Court, which means he’s working to build a clean, stable, drug-free home for himself and his children.

Now, two of his kids, ages 7 and 4, are going to live with him in the new place. Since his children were born, the family has lived with Pliss’ mother.

He’s happy now they all get their own space.

“I’m just really thankful for this place,” he said. “It’s going to make a big change in my life. I can’t wait.”

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

Patrick Russell, left, Jill Russell and their son Jackson Russell of Lake Stevens enjoy Dick’s burgers on their way home from Seattle on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. The family said the announcement of the Dick’s location in Everett “is amazing” and they will be stopping by whenever it opens in 2025. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dick’s Drive-In announces details for Thursday’s grand opening in Everett

Dick’s will celebrate its second Snohomish County location with four days of festivities.

Washington’s Supreme Court slashes public defender caseload limits

The changes will take effect Jan. 1, but local governments get a decade to comply. For cash-strapped counties, it may not be enough time without more state aid.

Washington stuck mid-pack in national education ranking

The new report underscores shortfalls in reading and math proficiency. Still, the state’s top school official says data show progress recovering from the pandemic.

Marysville is planning a new indoor sports facility, 350 apartments and a sizable hotel east of Ebey Waterfront Park. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New report shifts outlook of $25M Marysville sports complex

A report found a conceptual 100,000-square-foot sports complex may require public investment to pencil out.

x
Edmonds seeks applicants for planning board alternate

The member would attend and participate in meetings and vote when another member is absent. Applications close June 25.

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.