We should rethink our ‘nimby’ biases on shelters, housing

Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 4, 2023

I was saddened, yet again, when I read the city of Everett succumbed to the “not in my backyard” voices of the citizens around Hope Church and denied a shelter (“After outcry, Hope Church won’t be turned into Everett homeless shelter,” The Herald, April 28). This happened a few years ago with land owned by Everett Public Schools in an agreement with Housing Hope.

I live in unincorporated Snohomish and I admit I was angry years ago when the four houses behind me were sold and more than 25 houses went in. We lost a very thick tree line behind our fence.

In the years since these houses were built, I hear children laughing. I see people who don’t look like me walking with their dogs and families and we are friendly with one another. These houses, along with other duplexes nearby, have increased the diversity of the area and helped me rethink my own mentality of, “not in my backyard.”

I believe my community is better for what has been built and there are new trees growing.

Traci Mitchell

Snohomish