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North Star collaborative reports $56 million leveraged for regional housing and behavioral‑health projects
Summary
Monica Negrila of North Star briefed the council on a regional collaboration that has marshaled about $56 million for projects including Martha’s Place, the Skagit Star Center and First Step; she said a $970,000 startup gap remains for phase two of the Star Center.
Monica Negrila, director of the North Star collaborative, told the council that regional partners — counties, cities, hospitals, service providers and first responders — have aligned priorities and funding requests to expand housing and behavioral‑health services across Skagit County. Negrila described North Star as a coordination and advocacy collaborative rather than a separate government entity.
Negrila said approximately $56 million has been leveraged since North Star’s formation in July 2022. She provided a high‑level breakdown: about $23 million supported Martha’s Place, the county’s first permanent supportive housing project; approximately $26 million was allocated for the second phase of the Skagit Star Center — the detox/stabilization/treatment facility — and roughly $500,000 was earmarked for First Step startup. Negrila said the collaborative is pursuing additional state startup funds to bridge a remaining gap for the Skagit Star Center’s second phase: the legislature had $1.5 million on its wish list but the current allocation is about $530,000, leaving roughly $970,000 to find.
North Star has also supported operational coordination efforts: a countywide case‑management and information tool (referred to in testimony as Jowada or Jolada) to let responders and outreach teams share case notes, and a revamped coordinated‑entry intake system to let people register for shelter or housing assistance by phone (211) rather than appearing in person. Negrila described task forces for housing, recovery and first‑responder coordination and invited council members to an inaugural North Star symposium and a joint city‑county meeting in early June.
Council members asked about operational timing for the Skagit Star Center and whether a searchable directory of county services could be built. Negrila said the Star Center second phase is expected in late 2025 or early 2026 and that a single, maintained services database would be valuable and is under consideration.
