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.
County, cities, residents meet for North Star housing symposium
About 250 participants crowded into the Swinomish Casino & Lodge on Friday for the inaugural North Star Symposium. The all-day event intended to connect providers and community members and provide knowledge on housing and behavioral health issues.
June 9, 2025Leaders of 4 cities talk North Star partnership, opioid settlement funds at joint meeting
City council members from Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley say they’re ready to revisit a formal partnership to tackle homelessness and behavioral health challenges countywide.
June 9, 2025North Star to Host Joint Meeting with County Commissioners, Mayors, and City Councils
The intent of the joint meeting is to strengthen collaboration under the North Star initiative by deepening mutual understanding and building trust between jurisdictions and Skagit County.
June 4, 2025North 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, 2025