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SNOHOMISH — Several struggling families got some help to stay current on their rent thanks to a pilot rental assistance program in Snohomish.
Seventeen families, comprising 44 people, received either partial or a full month of rental assistance during six months in 2024.
The program’s funding comes in part through a state legislative act that allows cities such as Snohomish to claim a tiny portion of the state sales tax worth thousands of dollars each year to use toward constructing affordable housing or rental assistance locally. Snohomish began doing this in 2019.
It was decided a year ago to use the accumulated funds for rental assistance, said Velvet Franz, the city’s community navigator.
The city contracts with Take the Next Step to administer the program. It’s a nonprofit family resource center based in Monroe.
To qualify for help, a family needs to live within Snohomish’s city limits and have an income of less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income, Franz said.
“Ideally the funds are to help keep people in their homes,” said Sarah Morgan, co-executive director of programs and operations at Take the Next Step.
There were several reasons that families cited for needing rent assistance. Morgan said a change can be so quick, families struggle to make ends meet.
“It’s just that one thing that was outside the control of their budget,” Morgan said.
One household experienced unexpected medical bills. In addition to receiving help with rent, a Take the Next Step navigator guided the family through a charity care application, according to information from the city.
Another family needed help with rent support as well as employment support and help job searching. Another person received assistance after learning of a cancer diagnosis as well as a job layoff. A navigator helped the person find stable employment, according to information from the city.
The City of Snohomish will have around $60,000 available for rental assistance in 2025.
“The goal is to help as many people as possible,” Franz said.
Nearly 30 percent of homeowners in Snohomish and 40 percent of renters are either cost-burdened or severely cost burden, meaning they spend 30 percent or more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs, according to a Housing Assessment and Gap Analysis the city produced in December of 2022.
Housing costs have increased over the past decade, according to the assessment. In 2010, the income required to afford a $350,000 home with “typical terms” was over $65,000. By the end of 2022, the amount increased to $75,000. The number of homes selling for $350,000 went from 81 homes sold in 2011, to two in 2021.
Take the Next Step also partners with the City of Monroe to administer a similar program. Monroe had around $63,000 that helped 30 to 35 households in 2024, Morgan said.
In its 20th year, Take the Next Step started as a grassroots effort to compile accurate resources, Morgan said. The organization has added programs as needs have shifted.
Take the Next Step has an after-school program, outreach to the unhoused, community dinners and a young mom’s program.
