Just off a neighborhood street in South Everett, near the mall, lays a quiet grove of large trees with a small stream flowing at the bottom, and the remains of a large homeless camp. Mark Westenberg, left, a longtime volunteer, from Lynnwood, and Steve collect “sharps” at the large site Saturday, Sept. 19. A shopping cart “bridge” crosses the stream on the right.
Steve wrestled numerous shopping carts from the camp to return to the local merchants, and other volunteers cleared brush on the site. The area on both sides of the small creek was strewn with bedding, clothing, televisions, toys, and more.
Jim Scolman
EVERETT — Volunteers are clearing a longtime homeless camp site for a proposed housing project that comes with a twist: a nonprofit community land trust is building affordable, single-family homes here. This the first foray in Snohomish County for the Homes and Hope Community Land Trust.
The land trust system uses covenants on the homes to limit their resale value and restrict ownership to people who earn below a certain income threshold, Trust CEO Kim Toskey explained.
The Hand Up Project is contracted for the volunteer cleanup. To volunteer, visit the Hand Up tent along 3rd Avenue SE just south of Everett Mall Way.
