On 4-2 vote, Whatcom Co. Council rejects motion to defund low-income housing project
In a special meeting Tuesday, Whatcom County Council members rejected a measure to defund 22 North, a housing complex for 40 previously homeless youth, veterans and people with disabilities that has been the focus of complaints from neighbors and others because of crime and drug use.
On a 4-2 vote, the council decided to keep its $1.5 million two-year contract in place with the Opportunity Council, which owns the building and provides staff and services for the residents of 40 studio apartments at 1022 N. State St.
Technically, the council voted Tuesday to table the proposal indefinitely, a parliamentary move that requires a supermajority of the members present.
Because Councilman Ben Elenbaas was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, the motion to table required only four votes.
Councilmembers Tyler Byrd and Mark Stremler voted against tabling the measure. Elenbass had introduced the measure to cut 22 North’s funding and turn it into a secure detox facility.
”This resolution is the wrong format. We can’t do what it proposes,” Councilman Todd Donovan said.
Elenbaas proposed the measure July 8, citing concern over six death investigations at 22 North in the first six months of 2024, along with several other incidents, including the 2022 shooting death of a resident.
Several local residents spoke in support and against the proposal during an hourlong comment period at Tuesday’s meeting.
A speaker who identified himself as Tim G said it was “disgraceful” that elected leaders were considering cuts to homeless services.
“Kicking people to the curb will not solve the problem,” he said.
Misty Flowers, who said she has a child living at 22 North, was among several critics who described drug use and violence at the complex. Flowers spoke of “the heartbreak of watching my daughter suffer.”
Before the special council meeting Tuesday, council members met with the Public Health Advisory Board to learn more about 22 North.
At that earlier meeting, County Executive Satpal Sidhu implored council members to keep funding for 22 North, which embraces the “housing first” concept for helping people with mental illness and health struggles that make it difficult for them to maintain stable lives.
“Like everyone else, I am deeply concerned about the deaths at 22 North. Councilman Elenbaas’ resolution is an invitation to think critically about our response to the fentanyl crisis,” Sidhu said. “This work is not easy. It is not pretty. They deserve our respect and appreciation.”
Ann Beck, who is human services manager for the Whatcom County Department of Health and Human Services, described 22 North’s challenges in a presentation to the council.
“The people who live there are tenants. 22 North is not a residential treatment or lockdown facility. The people who live there are not customers, they are tenants,” Beck said.
Residents have the same rights as any tenant under state and federal laws, and staff or police can’t go into someone’s room without a warrant or giving notice, except in extreme circumstances, Beck said.
She said the difficulties at 22 North can be traced to several nearly simultaneous events:
▪ Isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic
▪ The pandemic-related eviction moratorium
▪ The Blake Decision court ruling that decriminalized drug possession
▪ Rising fentanyl availability.
To reduce crime and ensure the safety of tenants, the Opportunity Council has added screening requirements for new tenants, hired temporary security support and is being more strict about enforcement of guest policies and lease agreements.
“Community-building activities” are being added and staff are engaging with neighbors and collaborating with police, Beck said.
In tabling the measure Tuesday, County Council members agreed to further talks within the next few months, before the next two-year budget is set.
“I thought that this resolution was problematic and unworkable. Let’s all acknowledge that there’s a discussion to be had here — but this isn’t the time to have it. We can and should discuss this more,” Councilwoman Kaylee Galloway said.
This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 4:05 PM.
