County council reconsiders 22 North funding

Whatcom County Council member Ben Elenbaas introduced a resolution requesting the county executive pull funding to Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services relating to 22 North, a permanent supportive housing facility in downtown Bellingham, during the July 9 council meeting. Council voted 5-2 to extend conversation on the funding to July 30, with councilmembers Mark Stremler and Ben Elenbaas opposed.

Councilmember Kaylee Galloway requested a two-week extension on the resolution to hold ‘robust conversations’ with stakeholders before voting on fully removing county funds from the supportive housing service. The hold was extended to three weeks due to scheduling conflicts.

Dozens of members of the public spoke against the proposal, saying despite a record of violent and overdose deaths, outcomes are still better for vulnerable people when they are housed in 22 North compared to being on the street.

“I’m just not interested in sponsoring the deaths anymore. I’m sorry, I’m not,” Elenbaas said during the July 9 meeting. “What I want is an outcome that is better in the long run.”

22 North houses about 40 people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are battling drug addiction. The resolution cites “at least eight individuals who have died” at the location between February 2022 and May 2024. Elenbaas’ resolution described each death by name, some depicted in grim detail.

“My resolution is not to just pull the carpet out on 22 North, my resolution is to hold the folks that hold 22 North accountable for the poor performance that we’ve seen,” Elenbaas said.

The resolution requested that the county executive repurpose the building into a secure detox and treatment facility, which would reinstate funding toward that new objective. 22 North doesn’t receive all of its funding through the county, but multiple programs are supported by county funds.

“Whether you support keeping 22 North or want to get rid of it, most people say we can do better,” councilmember Jon Scanlon said. “And I think we can do better.”