Everett Station District Alliance outlines 58-unit affordable housing proposal and school partnership

Ed Peterson, identified himself as president of the Everett Station District Alliance (ESDA), and Brock Howell, ESDA’s executive director, appeared during public comment to describe an affordable housing project and to request district collaboration in state funding applications.

Peterson said ESDA submitted an application to the City of Everett on Oct. 16 as part of an early financing process and said the legislature provides incentives through the State Housing Trust Fund for projects that show school-district collaboration.

Later in the agenda, a district presenter, Mister Fulford, gave additional details: ESDA is pursuing a 58-unit affordable housing project targeted at households earning about 30–60% of area median income and plans to dedicate 15 units to families with school-age children in the Jackson Elementary/North Broadway/Everett High service area. He said the organization is seeking local public-jurisdiction funding and other financing and expects the project to aim for an opening near the 2028 school year.

Mister Fulford said the partnership could include referral pathways through district family resource centers and potential collaboration with vocational training programs in construction. The district noted it already has a memorandum of understanding with another provider (Madrona Square) for referrals and said the ESDA project would likely use a similar referral model.

Board members praised the partnership and asked about lessons learned from Madrona Square and the practical role of the district. Fulford said the district’s role is expected to include referral support and working through logistics, while additional project details and timelines will be developed as funding is awarded.

No formal board action was taken at the Oct. 28 meeting; presenters said they will return with updates as the ESDA funding and development process progresses.