County OKs hotel-shelter purchases, won't require drug treatment
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council greenlit the conversion of two local motels into transitional housing Wednesday. And all signs point to the program being low-barrier once beds open this winter.
With no Republican support, the council voted 3-2 to buy a motel near the Everett Mall and another in Edmonds. Councilmember Nate Nehring’s proposal to delay the decision and require all residents struggling with addiction to undergo treatment failed.
Opponents said the mandate would be counterproductive and not in line with the housing-first model now treated as a best practice.
Nehring unveiled the proposal last week, saying the mandate would be “a compassionate approach to help those struggling get back on their feet.”
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-oks-hotel-shelter-purchases-wont-require-drug-treatment/