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. The City’s efforts aim to address the root causes of homelessness, meet the immediate needs of people experiencing homeless, and manage public lands.  

Complex Roots  

The first step in ending homelessness is understanding that the root causes are varied and complex. Some people lose their homes because housing and living costs are rising faster than their income. Some fled domestic violence. Some became ill or injured and could not work. Some struggle with addiction or their mental health. Others lost their jobs at a time when they were living paycheck to paycheck. Systemic economic or racial disparities affect some. Many are still working. Some are visibly experiencing homelessness, but many are not.  

All are part of Monroe. 

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, shelters, and rental assistance programs are aligned in their efforts to help Monroe residents. The Human Services Coordinator also leads implementation of the Homelessness Policy Advisory Committee’s recommendations adopted by the City Council.

Community Outreach Team 

Established in 2017 in partnership Snohomish County, the Community Outreach Team makes consistent contact with people who are experiencing 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. 

Social Worker within the Judicial Process 

In cases where people experiencing homelessness or living in crisis are arrested for unlawful actions, the City supports a social worker, embedded with the public defender, to give guidance throughout the judicial process. Along with the public defender, the social worker can help individuals explore alternatives, such as addiction treatment or other services that support long-term recovery. 

Community Human Services Advisory Board 

Established in June 2020, the Community Human Services Advisory Board (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 convened for nine months in 2019, investigating the root causes of homelessness and lasting solutions. 

Additional resources