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.
We’ve aligned efforts to meet housing needs in Skagit County and are collectively taking action to promote housing development.
What’s Ahead
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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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Skagit STAR Center is on track to open by the end of 2025.
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.
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.
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 throughout Skagit Valley.
Skagit County's North Star initiative receives award
Skagit County’s North Star initiative has received a Project of Impact award from the Washington State Association of Counties. The award recognizes county governments and leadership that are making a difference in their communities.
December 5, 2025Skagit County approves interlocal agreement for North Star initiative
The agreement is part of an effort to formalize a connection between the jurisdictions under the North Star initiative.
December 3, 2025Solutions for housing shortage subject of community forum
The housing forum was led by the North Star initiative, which is a coalition of county and city representatives, community leaders and organizations that work to address homelessness and behavioral health issues within Skagit County.
November 19, 2025Work on Skagit County mental health and addiction treatment center nearly complete
The Star Center will have 16 beds for crisis stabilization, 16 for those to detox with significant medical care, and 16 for those needing longer treatment for both addiction and mental health.
October 22, 2025Affordable housing complex coming to Burlington this summer
An affordable housing complex with six buildings and 42 units is set to be completed in Burlington by August 2026.
October 17, 2025