Over $130M for affordable housing set to be approved by County Council

EVERETT — Snohomish County got one step closer Tuesday to approving a plan to create hundreds of affordable housing units with an already implemented 0.1% sales tax.

The county believes the new plan will create 550 affordable housing units over the next five years. It would also make available 150 new emergency “bridge and permanent supportive housing units.” The temporary homes would be similar to the hotels in Edmonds and Everett the county purchased last year.

This would bring the number of emergency housing spaces in the county up to 330. Once opened, the hotels will provide 120 units of emergency housing. Pallet shelters in Everett provide an additional 60.

Two years ago, the County Council approved a sales tax meant to pay for new affordable housing projects. It passed along party lines with a 3-2 vote. The move, authorized by the state Legislature, didn’t require a vote of the public.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-council-set-to-approve-more-than-130m-for-affordable-housing/