Homelessness Response

Every person in Monroe deserves to feel safe and supported. We are a community where people help each other, and together we can ensure we are all housed and have the resources we need to thrive. 

Complex Roots  
The first step in ending homelessness is understanding that the root causes are varied and complex. Some people lose their home because housing and living costs are rising faster than wages. Some fled domestic violence. Some got sick or hurt and could not work. Some struggle with addiction or their mental health. Some lost their job at time when they were living paycheck to paycheck. Many are affected by systemic economic or racial disparities. Many are still working. Some are visibly experiencing homelessness. Many are not. 

All are part of Monroe. 

Current Efforts
The City’s efforts aim to address the root causes of homelessness, meet the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness, and manage public lands. Legislative Research Consultant Peitra Gaebel's Whitepaper: "No Place Like Home - Addressing Homelessness in Monroe, WA."

Community Outreach Team: Established in 2017 in partnership Snohomish County, the Community Outreach Team makes consistent contact with people who experience chronic homelessness. The team includes a police officer and an embedded social worker who provide connections to resources, medical assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, and rides to appointments. Learn more about the Outreach Team's work in this Snohomish Tribune article and check out their 2019 highlights and monthly contact data.  

Central Coordination: The City's Human Services Coordinator works closely with different organizations that serve people experiencing homelessness. This helps ensure that everything from food banks, to schools, to shelters, to rental assistance programs are aligned in their efforts. The Human Services Coordinator also leads implementation of the Homelessness Policy Advisory Committee’s recommendations. 

Community Relief Grants: In 2020, the City provided two rounds of community relief grants to nonprofits serving Monroe’s most vulnerable residents. Learn more about the program.

Community Human Services Advisory Board (CHSAB): Established in June 2020, the CHSAB represents a broad spectrum of lived experiences and advises the Mayor and City Council on solutions that support marginalized communities, unsheltered people, those experiencing poverty, or those being adversely affected by crisis. The CHSAB was formed in response to recommendations made by the Homelessness Policy Advisory Committee (HPAC), which met every two weeks for nine months in 2019, investigating the root causes of homelessness and lasting solutions. 

Social Worker within the Judicial Process: In cases where people experiencing homelessness or living in crisis are arrested for unlawful actions, the City will provide a social worker to give guidance throughout the judicial process. The social worker will help the individual explore alternatives to incarceration, such as addiction treatment or other services that support long-term recovery. 

Park Clean-Up: When people are illegally camped in City Parks our Outreach Team connects with the campers, offers services, and gives them notice to vacate. City Parks personnel conduct weekly checks of our parks, report encampments to the police, and pick up any debris left behind. 

COVID-19 Response: Illness and economic hardship caused by the recent outbreak has increased the need for housing, food, utility, unemployment, and other assistance. You can learn about COVID-19 resources here.