What We’re Up To
We’re already making progress on long-term solutions to behavioral health and housing challenges throughout Skagit County.
Since 2022, we’ve had some big wins, including:
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Secured $17 million from the Washington State Legislature to expand the Skagit STAR Center, increasing the availability of effective treatment services for adults with substance use and mental health disorders.
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Streamlined how we connect people experiencing homelessness to the housing options and resources they need - so they have easier, faster ways to find a place to live.
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Pooled $1.5 million in city and County funding to open Martha’s Place, Skagit’s first permanent supportive housing development.
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Implemented a shared software system to help first responders improve coordination, care, and outcomes for people in crisis.
Recent Actions
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As part of our ongoing work to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout Skagit County, the North Star Leadership Team issued a call to action encouraging all city councils to free up more land for housing construction through targeted updates to zoning codes and land use plans. Read more here.
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On August 12, 2024, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the Skagit STAR Center in Sedro-Woolley. Made possible by the collective efforts of partners across the state, the facility will provide 48 new voluntary inpatient beds and be a meaningful and more cost-effective alternative to jail and the emergency room. Read more here.
There’s so much more good work ahead. Over the next year, we plan to:
Expand crisis response services and improve collaboration among our cities, law enforcement, first responders, and service providers to connect people with appropriate resources, rather than jail or the emergency room.
Expand and strengthen recovery support services to improve the quality of services and increase access to the care people need to thrive.
Coordinate money from federal opioid settlements to fund life-saving services – from prevention to recovery.
Expand the Skagit STAR Center by adding 48 beds for medical detox, voluntary mental health crisis stabilization, and longer-term residential treatment. Projected opening: Winter 2025.
Update land-use planning policies and identify properties suitable for housing to promote faster housing production for people at all income levels.
What’s Next
In the News
Read the latest news and headlines about our work and partners throughout Skagit Valley.
Skagit 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, 2024What Factors Increase the Likelihood Unhoused People Will Seek Out Shelters? Part Two
County and cities partner to address the homelessness crisis beyond providing temporary housing.
March 4, 2024Propose supplemental capital budget includes funding for Skagit Stabilization Campus
The state Senate’s proposed supplemental capital budget includes about $4.3 million for construction of the second phase of the Skagit Stabilization Campus in Sedro-Woolley.
February 21, 2024North Star group shares progress and goals in homelessness, mental health care
Mayors and county commissioners are onboard, but nothing can happen without continued support from the city councils.
December 4, 2023