Skagit County Partners with Housing Authority of Skagit County to Build Affordable Housing
Skagit County has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC) to build affordable housing units for seniors, along with a resident clubhouse that provides space for resident support services, at the current site of the Mount Vernon Senior Center on Cleveland Avenue.
This past winter, Skagit County received a $1.55M allocation from the Washington State legislature, through a Department of Commerce program for multifamily housing, to fund the feasibility and design process of a combined affordable housing and community center facility at the Cleveland Avenue property. This effort will increase the county’s access to needed housing units and help achieve one of the County’s strategic plan goals to increase housing availability and affordability for people who work and live in Skagit County.
As planning moves forward, Skagit County, the City of Mount Vernon, and Skagit Council on Aging (SCOA) are working together to identify a new location for the Mount Vernon senior center. The current county-owned facility will remain open and continue operating under SCOA through the end of 2027, with the goal of opening a relocated senior center in January 2028.
Planning for Affordable Housing
In 2022, Skagit County hired Makers Architecture and Urban Design (MAKERS) to study all county-owned properties to evaluate if any properties would be suitable for a future affordable housing development project. This process was initiated as part of the development of our Skagit County Strategic Plan, particularly Key Focus Area 4, which addresses the wellbeing of community members by increasing affordable housing, living wage jobs, improving public safety, and increasing safe and equitable access to trails and recreation. The County Commissioners wished to prioritize affordable housing development and were looking to identify ways to encourage new affordable housing units. Repurposing a county-owned property for affordable housing, rather than purchasing real estate, saves on the cost of acquiring property for new units.
The 2022 MAKERS study identified the Mount Vernon senior center location as an ideal opportunity for new affordable housing, given the city zoning permitting multifamily housing and proximity to transit, jobs, and the downtown neighborhood. With the $1.55M in funding provided by the state legislature in 2026, Skagit County began the feasibility process for an affordable housing facility with a combined senior center facility at the Cleveland Street location. HASC quickly stepped up to offer its’ support and partnership with this project and agreed to be the lead developer of the new facility.
After additional discussions and study of the property, it was decided that a senior center at this location along with the affordable housing facility would not be practical given the lack of parking and space for the senior center users as well as the permanent residents. The property is in the flood zone, which limits the first floor of the facility from residential or other public uses. The first floor could be developed for parking to accommodate the permanent residents. Given that city zoning limits the building to four stories, with the first floor as a parking lot, adding additional levels for a senior center would significantly limit housing units. HASC and Skagit County are working to include a smaller community center space for the permanent residents of the new facility.
Planning for a New Mount Vernon Senior Center Location
As a result of the feasibility study, Skagit County, the City of Mount Vernon, and Skagit Council on Aging (SCOA) have agreed to find a new location for the Mount Vernon senior center. The County-owned facility will remain open for SCOA to operate the senior center through the end of 2027, with the goal of having the relocated senior facility open in January of 2028. Skagit County, the City of Mount Vernon, and SCOA will be continuing to evaluate and discuss relocation options in Mount Vernon. We will share more information about the relocation effort as it becomes available. All three entities will offer public participation opportunities in 2027 to ensure the senior community is involved in the selection of the new location.
What’s Next
HASC and Skagit County are continuing to work towards a design of the new affordable housing facility. Skagit County plans to request additional funds from the state in 2027 to help fund the construction phase. Questions about the memorandum of understanding agreement between Skagit County and HASC, as well as about the Mount Vernon senior center, can be emailed to commissioners@skagitcountywa.gov. More information about senior services and the Mount Vernon senior center can be found on our website www.skagitcountywa.gov/seniorservices.
