EVERETT, APRIL 28: The City of Everett and Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) hosted a grand opening for a 20-unit pallet shelter for women and children in West Everett on Monday, April 27.
This project utilized American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide a safe and accountable program that includes case management, security, and a code of conduct that allows unsheltered women to move from survival toward stability. The City of Everett owns the land and shelters, built locally by Pallet, but the VOAWW runs the programming that places families in the shelter, provides social work, and oversees the management of the shelter.
“Every person deserves a safe place to sleep and a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Brian Smith, President and CEO of VOAWW during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “It’s about dignity and stability. There’s a tendency to measure success in numbers, but here, success will be achieved in the lives changed.”
Each of the twenty shelters can house up to four people. Families are expected to begin moving in by mid-May. There are two bathroom/shower units on either side of the shelter site, a playground, a community kitchen space, and on-site offices for staff, such as management and social workers who will be available during the day to work with residents on long-term support plans. The ultimate goal of the pallet shelter is to be transitional lodging; a safe place for women and their children to stay up to 12 months while working towards acquiring permanent housing. 24 hour security will be on site to make sure everyone living at the shelter is safe.
“This place is not permanent housing, but provides shelter, a place to do laundry, to celebrate birthdays and have a community,” said Galina Volchkova, VOAWW Executive Director of Housing Services.
The idea of a pallet shelter was not met with open arms by all members of the surrounding neighborhood. In 2024, a nonprofit formed by nearby residents sued the city to halt construction on the grounds that Everett’s comprehensive plan did not allow that space to be used for a shelter site. The City of Everett agreed to a settlement with the group out of court.
“This site is about so much more than shelter,” Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said at the ceremony. “Housing is fundamental and the need for shelter is great. This is going to be a long journey; this is just one step along the way.”
