Pallet Shelters
Pallet Shelters:
Pallet shelters--rapid-response temporary shelter units--are innovative and cost-effective units that offer unsheltered individuals dignity, safety, and privacy as they transition toward permanent housing. Made locally, Pallet shelters are the culmination of many months of research by multiple City departments to address homelessness issues in our city. Partnering with host locations and case management agencies, Pallet shelters in Everett provide accommodations and services that offer accountability and compassion to unsheltered individuals in our city.
Pallet Shelter partnerships:
The purpose of the Pallet Shelter partnerships is to meet the increased need the City of Everett is experiencing. The City of Everett has allotted over $3 million ARPA dollars toward the use of Pallet shelters in order to temporarily shelter individuals and families with children. These projects will help address public health and safety concerns while providing Pallet shelter residents with resources available through case management provided on-site. Pallet partnerships started in 2021 at EGM and is expanding, with two additional shelter locations anticipated to open in early 2023. Read about these sites below.
Everett Gospel Mission pallet project
In 2021, Everett Gospel Mission (EGM) installed 20 Pallet shelters adjacent to the Men's Shelter on Smith Ave. These units were available to chronically unsheltered individuals referred by COET and were quickly filled. Pallet residents are offered services and resources through EGM's case management, which prioritize safety and stability. With the success of this pilot program, 20 additional units were installed in 2022, providing 40 total beds. Palisades, the adopted name of this project, is now helping to significantly reduce the encampments, litter, and drug use in this area of our city.
Location
This project is located at the northeast portion of the 3700 block of Smith Avenue.
Pallet Expansion: ARPA at work
Faith Family Village: Located in the Madison neighborhood, this 8-unit shelter located at Faith Lutheran Church will provide shelter to families experiencing homelessness. Managed by Interfaith Family Shelter, this shelter project is slated to open in 2023. This shelter has received congressional HUD and ARPA funding for two years.
Volunteers of America: VOA is developing a 20-unit pallet project in partnership with the City of Everett. This project focuses on unsheltered women in recovery and their children. Utilizing ARPA funds, VOA will provide a safe and accountable program that includes case management, security, and a code of conduct that allows unsheltered women to move from survival toward stability.
Learn more
- Everett City Council 6/29/22 briefing on VOA pallet project (starts at 51:19)
- EGM Pallet shelter expansion (YouTube)
- View the presentation about the project (PPT)
- Learn more about Pallet Shelters (PPT)
- Take a virtual tour of one of the shelters (YouTube)
- How is this pilot funded?
- Will the City conduct outreach to all property and business owners along Smith Ave about the project, not just those within 500 feet of the site as the project moves forward?
- What are the requirements for someone to live in the shelters? How will they be chosen?
- What is the managing agency’s role? What is the City’s role in the Pallet Shelter Pilot?
- How long do people typically live in these shelters before they transition to permanent housing?
- What kinds of services will Pallet residents receive?
- How many people will this project shelter?
- Who is enforcing the rules and what happens if residents break the rules?
- How is this any different than the tent cities we see in other communities?
- Will the pallet project continue beyond the one year of current funding?