During a recent government meeting, Annie Pichot, a resident of Marysville, Washington, voiced her concerns regarding the escalating homelessness crisis in Everett and its surrounding areas. Pichot highlighted the alarming rise in rent prices, which she stated is forcing individuals to live on the streets or in their vehicles.

Drawing from her personal experience with homelessness in Everett, Pichot expressed her apprehension about the potential criminalization of homelessness, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling related to the Grama Pass Oregon case. She noted that this ruling could exacerbate the situation in Everett, especially if homeless individuals are displaced from Marysville to Everett.

Pichot referenced a recent article in The Herald, where Liz Voguely raised similar concerns, and pointed out that the mayor of Marysville appeared to support the new ruling, which she found troubling. She emphasized that housing should be regarded as a fundamental human right and criticized the city for not adequately addressing the homelessness issue.

In her address, Pichot urged the city council to take decisive action on housing solutions, advocating for various types of housing, including regular, social, and cooperative housing, to help alleviate the crisis and provide shelter for those in need. She expressed hope that the council would respond to her concerns and outline a plan to tackle the homelessness issue effectively.