Long-term solutions to behavioral health and housing challenges take time, but they’re within reach.
Skagit is stepping up in a big way and there’s a lot more ahead.
What We’re Up To
Our Progress
Since 2022, we’ve built the foundation for North Star – engaging community leaders, assessing where our public-private partnership can be most effective, and starting real work on the ground improving community-based care, and driving more safe, stable housing.
Here are some highlights of what we’ve done so far:
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Adopted a three-year strategic plan that accelerates our action.
Skagit County hired Monica Negrila to shape the strategic direction of North Star and deliver on our goals.
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Secured $17 million from the Washington Legislature to expand Skagit STAR Center, increasing the availability of intensive, long-term treatment for adults struggling with substance use and mental health challenges.
Connected first responders with a shared software system that helps them coordinate care when they encounter people in crisis.
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After pooling $1.5 million in city and County funding, we opened Martha’s Place, Skagit’s first permanent supportive housing development.
Streamlined how people can connect to housing, helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness find housing options and resources more quickly and easily.
Our Housing Call to Action galvanized a movement to increase the supply of affordable housing in Skagit County by making targeted updates to zoning codes and land use plans.
What’s Ahead
As a community, we have to make sure no one has to live in their car or on the street and that everyone gets the services they need, when they need them. Here are North Star’s next steps in that journey.
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We’re developing a coordinated data approach to measure North Star’s progress
We’re establishing more ways to gather input from more diverse groups of Skagitonians.
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We’re gathering more resources to help people with addiction and mental health struggles. These efforts include more peers to counsel and support folks in recovery, new transitional housing, and a voucher system for basic needs such as food, transportation, and medicine.
We’ll continue to expand our systems for coordinating people on the front lines—police, fire, and other emergency responders.
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We’ll build more short-term housing, including shelter beds and transitional housing for people needing treatment.
We’re working with Mayors and County Commissioners to change zoning and permitting rules, creating more opportunities to build affordable housing.
We’re coordinating with cities, the County, and non-profit developers so that project proposals have the best chance of garnering competitive State and Federal housing development dollars.
We have the people, a plan, and momentum to make a difference in communities across Skagit County. Let’s keep going!
In the News
Read the latest news and headlines about our work and partners throughout Skagit Valley.
North Star to Host Inaugural Symposium
North Star Connect is the inaugural symposium to bring together individuals from multiple professional sectors to network, collaborate, and advance professional development.
April 14, 2025Mount Vernon City Council gets North Star update
The Mount Vernon City Council heard a presentation on the 2025 goals of the North Star initiative.
January 23, 2025County hires Director of Strategic Initiatives
A new position has been created in Skagit County government to aid in the strategic direction and development of county initiatives, including the public-private North Star partnership.
October 7, 2024Skagit County breaks ground on crisis center expansion
The Skagit STAR Center provides law enforcement and first responders a safe place to drop off community members in crisis who need acute mental health treatment and substance use detox.
August 21, 2024County awarded grant to identify land for affordable housing
The Washington State Dept. of Commerce awarded $50,000 to Skagit County to inventory public land for affordable housing as part of North Star.
March 15, 2024