On May 19, 2026, leaders from across Snohomish County gathered in Everett for a conversation that felt both urgent and hopeful. Hosted at the Everett Gospel Mission, the panel brought together nonprofits, local government officials, and private-sector voices to tackle one of the region’s most persistent challenges: homelessness. [heraldnet.com]
What emerged from that discussion was not a single “silver bullet” solution—but something arguably more powerful: a shared recognition that solving homelessness requires deeper coordination, stronger partnerships, and a system that actually works for the people it’s meant to serve.
A Growing Crisis—With Complicated Progress
The timing of this conversation matters. Just days before the panel, Snohomish County released its annual “point-in-time” count, showing that homelessness increased from 2025 to 2026. [heraldnet.com]
Yet the data held a nuance that reflects the complexity of the situation: fewer people were unsheltered, likely due to expanded shelter capacity across the county. [heraldnet.com]
This contradiction—more people experiencing homelessness overall, but fewer living outside—highlights a critical truth: progress is happening, but it’s uneven and incomplete. More beds don’t automatically mean better outcomes if people still struggle to access the right services at the right time.
“No One Organization Can Solve This”
One of the clearest messages from the panel came from Everett Gospel Mission CEO John Hull, who emphasized that homelessness is not something any single organization, city, or funding stream can fix alone. [heraldnet.com]
Instead, he pointed to the need for a “full continuum of care”—a system that includes:
This layered approach reflects what many experts already know: homelessness is not just a housing issue. It intersects with mental health, addiction, employment, and systemic inequities. Treating only one piece of the problem leaves people vulnerable to falling back into instability.
The Real Barrier: A Fragmented System
If there was one recurring theme throughout the discussion, it was fragmentation.
Housing Hope CEO Kathryn Opina described the current system as a confusing maze—like a house with many rooms but “no hallways” connecting them. [heraldnet.com]
For someone experiencing homelessness, this fragmentation can be overwhelming:
Even when services exist, people can still “fall through the cracks” simply because navigating the system is too difficult.
This isn’t just an inconvenience—it can be the difference between finding housing and remaining unhoused.
Collaboration Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
Panelists repeatedly returned to one idea: better collaboration.
Mountlake Terrace Mayor Pro Tem Bryan Wahl highlighted the need for cities and service providers to share information more effectively and work through regional forums to align their efforts. [heraldnet.com]
This kind of coordination might sound simple, but it represents a major shift in how communities approach homelessness. It means:
Encouragingly, the event itself was a step in that direction. More than 20 organizations came together in one place, not just to talk, but to understand how their work fits into a larger ecosystem. [heraldnet.com]
What a Better System Could Look Like
While the panel focused on discussion rather than policy prescriptions, the underlying vision was clear: a more connected, navigable system of care.
In practical terms, that might include:
These ideas align with broader strategies already being explored across Snohomish County, where leaders are working toward coordinated, long-term solutions. [snohomishc…untywa.gov]
A Shift in Mindset
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the Everett panel isn’t a specific tactic—it’s a change in mindset.
Instead of asking, “What program will fix this?” the conversation is evolving into, “How do we build a system that actually works together?”
Because homelessness isn’t just about a lack of housing—it’s about a lack of connection:
Moving Forward
The Everett panel didn’t solve homelessness in one evening. But it made something clear: progress depends on collaboration at every level.
If Snohomish County—and communities like it—can build stronger bridges between organizations, align resources, and simplify access to care, the path forward becomes far more achievable.
In the end, addressing homelessness isn’t just about adding more programs. It’s about making sure those programs work together to guide people from crisis to stability—without dead ends along the way.
egm created a digital passport for the 21 participating agencies.
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