EVERETT — Snohomish County is looking for an agency to manage the two emergency housing centers it plans to launch next year.
In 2022, the county purchased the two former motels, the Days Inn in Everett and America’s Best Value Inn in Edmonds, to transition into 150 temporary housing units for the homeless. But the county found meth contamination before closing on the $13.7 million deal, and the cleanup process delayed the projects at least a year.
The Edmonds building is now clean, according to county documents, but asbestos found at the Everett property has pushed its completion a couple months.
The county is now working on design plans and permits for what officials call the “New Start Centers.” Remodeling is set to begin later this year.
Last week, the county Human Services Department released a Request for Proposals to apply to run the centers and coordinate on-site services. The job, posted as a one-year contract, would begin the fall of next year — as long as renovation plans stay on track.
The county may hire one social services agency to run both the 55-unit building on Highway 99 and the 75-unit building on Everett Mall Way, or could hire a different agency to run each center, county spokesperson Kelsey Nyland said Monday.
Hopeful agencies must provide a comprehensive plan that details safety, cleanliness and connection to services “with the primary goals of stabilizing behavior, meeting basic needs and achieving successful housing outcomes,” according to county documents.
The county hopes to have tenants connected to permanent housing within 90 days of entry, according to the request for proposals.
Agencies need to describe how they will build and maintain positive relationships within the community, including service providers and neighboring properties. A county-approved code of conduct, good neighbor agreement and tenant referral protocol will be required.
Applicants also need to provide a detailed budget for the job. Contract costs, experience and management plans will factor into the county’s decision this summer. The county expects to award the contracts by September.
The one-year contracts may be renewed depending on performance reviews, reports and tenant outcomes. The county plans to pay for the contracts with its Housing and Behavioral Health Capital Fund, as well as the federal HOME Investment Partnership program.
The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. June 25. More information can be found on the county’s webpage.
Sydney Jackson: 425-339-3430; sydney.jackson@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @_sydneyajackson.
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