Snohomish County council hears New Start Center plans; moves related contracts to Jan. 28 for final consideration

Snohomish County Council received presentations Tuesday on proposed operating and Home ARP contracts for two New Start Centers — one in Everett to be operated by the Salvation Army and one in Edmonds by the YWCA of Seattle, King and Snohomish Counties — and unanimously agreed to place the related motions on the Jan. 28, 2026 agenda for final action.

County human services staff described the New Start Centers as temporary bridge housing designed to provide intensive on-site services that help residents transition from homelessness into permanent housing. Mary Jane Bravilovich, director of human services, introduced the site operators and said the centers will pair shelter with behavioral-health and employment services.

The Salvation Army’s administrator, Captain Kristin Pankhauser (transcript spelling also appears as “Frankhauser”), said the Everett site will serve chronically homeless individuals with on-site mental-health, sobriety and employment supports intended to end chronic homelessness in the county. Matthew Garrett, with the Salvation Army’s northwest division, told the council the Everett facility is expected to have about 71 rooms, roughly 19 full‑time on‑site staff and three case managers; the organization projected an annual operating budget near $2.6 million and described an upfront security and equipment budget of about $500,000.

Kelly Thayer, representing the YWCA, said the Edmonds New Start Center will provide 24/7 emergency housing for up to 45 people with on-site life coaches, landlord-engagement staff and a community health worker to connect residents with Apple Health and other supports.

Staff summarized four proposed motions: two operating and licensing agreements (one each for the Salvation Army/Everett and YWCA/Edmonds) and two Home ARP service-contract authorizations for the executive to sign. Staff identified contract amounts and FTE funding: the Salvation Army operating/licensing agreement was described at $2,684,610 and a Home ARP award of $781,012 (through 12/31/2026); the YWCA operating/licensing agreement was described at $2,122,669 and a Home ARP award of $1,884,294 (through 12/31/2026). Staff also said the contracts allow for additional one‑year extensions (up to four) at the county’s discretion and include standard administrative and indirect allocations.

Staff noted the contracts require minimum operating documents — a management plan, code of conduct, referral and eligibility requirements, and safety and security plans — and said the operators must aim for a 95% occupancy rate after ramp-up. Human services identified variances between the contract and a draft referral partner agreement: the draft partner agreement omitted a 30‑day sobriety requirement and did not include language prohibiting violent‑crime convictions; updated contract drafts were provided to the council staff for replacement in Legistar.

Council members questioned the screening approach and funding mix. Council member Lowe asked for per‑unit operating cost estimates; staff said some costs are being covered with Home ARP dollars now and will transition to ‘15.90’ affordable-housing/behavioral-health sales-tax funds later, and committed to supply precise per‑unit figures. Several members pressed operators on how the New Start Centers will differ from low‑barrier or Housing‑First programs; Salvation Army and YWCA representatives said the centers will take a ‘‘middle path’’ with background checks (referencing arson, manufacturing and violent crimes) and a 30‑day sobriety requirement intended to serve people who are ready to engage with intensive services while protecting neighboring communities.

Operators described intake and service pathways: a comprehensive assessment at entry, individualized life plans with weekly goals, regular case‑manager meetings and connections to community providers (examples cited included Conquer Clinics and local food banks). Staff and operators said a tiered process would address code‑of‑conduct violations and that efforts would be made to move clients to other shelters or treatment before permanent exits to the street.

After staff requested clerical fixes — swapping updated contract drafts into Legistar and correcting a typographical reference in motion 26‑005 — the council moved to place the four ECAFs on the Jan. 28 agenda. The motion to move items 1–4 for consideration on Jan. 28, 2026 was adopted unanimously with five ayes recorded.

Next steps: the four motions and the updated contract documents will return to the full council on Jan. 28, 2026 for formal consideration and potential approval.