Housing Hope honors Edmonds School District as Partner of the Year; Scriber Place on track to open in spring 2027

Housing Hope representatives told the Edmonds School District board that the district will receive Housing Hope’s 2026 Partner of the Year award for its role in the Scriber Place housing partnership, and that construction is progressing on the 52‑home project.

Rachel Downs, chief strategic officer at Housing Hope, said the award recognizes "a school district stepping beyond traditional roles to help solve family homelessness at its root." She told the board that "site work is nearing completion, and there is framing up on one of the buildings," and that the project remains "on track to open the facilities to families in spring 2027."

Downs said the partnership creates "52 homes for families experiencing homelessness enrolled in your schools" by leasing surplus district land and providing a path from homelessness to stability. She added that Scriber Place will combine housing with system supports aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism and improving academic outcomes.

Downs also said Housing Hope will present the formal Partner of the Year award at its Stone Soup fundraiser on Friday, May 15, at Tulalip Resort; she gave the board a preliminary certificate at the meeting.

Why it matters: Housing stability is a major nonacademic driver of student attendance and achievement; board members noted that last year "over 750 students in this district alone experienced homelessness during the school year," a figure Housing Hope cited in the presentation. Board members praised the partnership and the district’s role in enabling the project.

What happens next: Housing Hope will present the award at its gala and continue project construction and outreach. District staff and board members said they look forward to further updates as Scriber Place moves toward occupancy in 2027.