Snohomish County to test for meth contamination in supportive housing

EVERETT — Snohomish County will test county-owned supportive housing for methamphetamine contamination at least once a year, under an ordinance council members passed Wednesday.

The new rule will apply to two former motels the county purchased for about $13.7 million in 2022 to convert into 150 supportive housing units. The to-be-called “New Start Centers” in Everett and Edmonds will serve as temporary shelter with connections to therapy, substance use disorder treatment and other services.

Meth contamination discovered at the motels has long delayed the project. The county is now on track to open the centers in 2025.

Council member Nate Nehring pitched the ordinance in February to target drug use in county-owned housing. The ordinance, passed in a 3-2 council vote, requires annual testing for meth and other chemical hazards.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-to-test-for-meth-contamination-in-supportive-housing/