Snohomish County staff seek consent approval for roughly $5.6 million in YWCA NewStart Center funding

Snohomish County Council Health and Community Services Committee members were asked March 25 to move two funding motions to the consent agenda that would provide a combined $5,656, -995 to the YWCA to operate emergency bridge housing at the Edmonds NewStart Center.

Cynthia Foley, Council staff, told the committee that under the American Rescue Plan Act the Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated HOME-ARP funds to jurisdictions and that the Snohomish County Consortium received an allocation of $7,200,000. Motion 25-152 would allocate $2,600,411 in HOME-ARP funding to the YWCA Seattle King County Snohomish County and authorize the Human Services Department to approve contract amendments up to $50,000 for operating contracts; contracts greater than $50,000 would come before the council in accordance with motion 24-417. Foley said staff requested that the motion be placed on the Government, Legal and Legislative Services (GLS) consent agenda on March 26 so a contract could be in place to allow the YWCA to provide input on renovations at the Edmonds NewStart Center.

Foley also said that on Feb. 28, 2025 the Policy Advisory Board approved the Technical Advisory Committee recommendation that the YWCA be awarded funding to operate emergency bridge housing at the Edmonds NewStart Center for a five-year period. Motion 25-153 would award $3,055,584 from the affordable housing and behavioral health program fund "known as HB 50 90" to the YWCA to operate the Edmonds NewStart Center; the award would be contracted annually and may be adjusted for cost-of-living increases. The motion authorizes the Human Services Department to issue contract amendments up to $50,000; contracts above that amount would be forwarded to the council under motion 24-417. Foley said staff requested moving motion 25-153 to the GLS consent agenda on March 26.

Committee member Dunn commented in support of the award, saying, "Really appreciate all the work of staff and very excited to have this trusted community partner take on this contract. It's great that we found a proper provider for this and really looking forward to having this center open." No formal vote was taken; the committee chair moved both items to the GLS consent agenda on March 26.

The committee record shows staff-level approvals for contract amendments up to $50,000 and that larger operating contracts would be returned to council. The motions as presented include the award amounts, the five-year operating term noted by the advisory board, and the request to expedite placement on the GLS consent calendar to allow contractor input on Edmonds NewStart Center renovations.

No additional public comment or dissent from committee members was recorded during the discussion.