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Residents and service users urge city to exempt Hope and Wellness from code enforcement
Summary
Multiple residents and service users urged the Everett City Council to grant a zoning or code-compliance exception to Hope and Wellness, saying the organization provides vital services to people experiencing homelessness and that closing it would harm people with no alternatives.
Several Everett residents and people who use the site urged the City Council on Feb. 5 to exempt Hope and Wellness from code enforcement actions and allow it to keep operating downtown.
Amy Heeb, a resident and homeowner in the Riverside neighborhood, told the council the city is enforcing code EMC 19 0 5 1 10 against Hope and Wellness while exempting other businesses in the past. “This is the same code provision that the city has exempted other similarly situated businesses from,” Heeb said. She argued the group’s services — open for five hours on one day per week at the time of her remarks — meet a “higher good” that can justify exceptions to strict code compliance.
The point was echoed in public comment by Julie Zender of the Bayside neighborhood and others who said closing Hope and Wellness would remove one of the few local options for unhoused people. “Hope and Wellness is providing needed services for our city and shutting them down in the name of code enforcement does not help anyone,” Zender said.
Several speakers described the organization as more than a drop-in site. John Klosterman said he worries that removing the site could lead to deaths: “If Hope and Wellness isn't where they are now, someone may very well die.” Scott Sparling said more than 1,500 people used Hope and Wellness last year and that 52% were referred from city- or county-funded agencies. He urged the council to grant a zoning-compliance exception: “They’re saving lives.”
Other commenters gave short, personal testimonials. Michelle Pendergrass read a letter from a service user who wrote, in part, “I love Hope and Wellness. You get treated like family.” Haley Kenville and other speakers described Hope and Wellness as a “safe haven” and “a place where we can be safe and warm and welcome,” and said it helps people access transportation, jobs and other services.
Council members acknowledged the comments and said outreach and a council committee are working with Hope and Wellness. Council Member Twohey said he is on a committee with Council Member Ryan that aims to find a solution “that will enable Hope and Wellness to be open and providing their much needed services on more days a week than what they are right now.” Council Member Ryan noted the cold snap and the county’s limited number of overnight shelters and said he would advocate to keep Hope and Wellness doors open longer while the committee works on alternatives.
The council did not take formal action on the record at this meeting to grant an exception. Public comment materials and council discussion indicate staff and council members are engaged in ongoing talks and a committee has been formed to explore options.
The council’s public-comment period included many personal appeals; the city’s staff and council said they will continue committee work and outreach to seek longer-term solutions.
