Press Release: Scriber Place Groundbreaking

Housing Hope Breaks Ground on New Housing Community Concept

Housing Hope welcomes the public to celebrate the groundbreaking of its newest housing community, Scriber Place, on October 1, noon at 5801 194^th Street SW, Lynnwood. The new community (2.20 acres) is a collaboration between Edmonds School District and Housing Hope. Currently, in the Edmonds Schools District, there are over 600 families experiencing homelessness. Scriber Place will provide housing for fifty-two families on a plot of land leased to Housing Hope, who will develop, build, and fund the living community. Housing Hope is the largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing in Snohomish County and has a proven history of helping our community members in need through housing and supportive services to help build stability and self-sufficiency. This collaboration blends abilities to develop housing and the availability of surplus land owned by the district, we can provide our community with a housing solution that will serve families and students in need.

Unstable housing has significant adverse effects on student academic performance. A study by Schoolhouse Washington found that students who are doubled up or in motels/hotels have nearly identical outcomes to their unsheltered peers, which are well below that of their housed classmates. In recognition of this crisis, the Washington State Legislature acted in 2018 to authorize school districts to lease surplus land to build affordable housing for students experiencing homelessness.

Because the School District retains ownership of the land and serving students experiencing homelessness is a condition of the lease, the project will serve McKinney-Vento homeless families in the Edmonds School District. This allows families to access permanent, affordable housing through this project. Housing Hope and Edmonds School District are breaking new ground to serve these families.

The new CEO of Housing Hope, Kathryn Opina, shared her elation for the project, "Housing Hope is extremely proud and excited for the Scriber Place project to come to fruition. This project has been in the works for years and is the first of its kind in Washington State. We are so thankful for our partners in this project Stewardship Development, HASCO, City of Lynnwood, and the Edmonds School District."

We currently anticipate beginning the process of identifying qualifying families in August and September 2026. Families should make sure they are enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program and in regular contact with their assigned Family Resource Advocate to make sure they receive information about how to sign up for the interest list for housing openings.

A critical part of Scriber Place’s funding is Project Based Section 8 Vouchers through the Housing Authority of Snohomish County. These are federal funds and eligibility requirements are set by HUD. Housing Hope and HASCO will help McKinney Vento families understand if they qualify for this housing assistance during the qualification process.

To learn more about Scriber Place go to South County | Housing Hope. Quotes from our partners are attached.

Media interviews with CEO Opina are available upon request. Please contact Joan Penney at joanpenney@housinghope.org for more information. Direct emails to Ms. Opina can be sent to kathrynopina@housinghope.org

Architect for Scriber Place: Designs Northwest, www.designsnw.com  

Vouchers for tenants: Housing Authority of Snohomish County

HASCO is proud to be able to provide the fifty-two housing vouchers for Scriber Place, along with the 20-year operating subsidy. Since the 1970s, the Voucher program has been a concrete symbol of Federal support for our lowest income neighbors. Without this support, projects like these could not succeed. The Voucher program provides much-needed operating support in lieu of what would otherwise be needed in rent to pay for increasing insurance costs, ongoing maintenance, staff, and utilities. While these items seem minor on their own, they add up. We anticipate that the vouchers will provide $47 million in operating subsidy over 20 years. Projects like this can only be accomplished with the collaborative efforts of Housing Hope and the Edmonds School District. This partnership shows the power of community organizations coming together to address critical housing needs and support families in achieving housing stability. The impact of projects like this extends beyond housing solutions; they contribute to the overall well-being of the community. By working together, we are not only providing essential resources but fostering an environment where residents can thrive. HASCO is proud to support Scriber Place and congratulates Housing Hope on expanding housing opportunities in our community. https://hasco.org/

Project and operations management: Stewardship Development

Stewardship Development is an experienced affordable housing developer dedicated to addressing the affordable housing crisis through responsible development and community stewardship. Founded in 2021 by partners Bill Syrios, Greg Whiteley, and Amanda Perkins—experts in real estate investing, development, and property management—and backed by its parent company Stewardship Properties with over 35 years of market-rate housing experience and over 700 rental properties, the firm is financially stable and positioned for growth. Its comprehensive services span land acquisition, nonprofit and housing authority partnerships, LIHTC applications, securing project funding, design oversight, construction management, compliance, and long-term property management. With a skilled affordable housing team, seasoned consultants, and strong partnerships with architects and contractors, Stewardship Development continues to deliver high-quality, sustainable housing that strengthens communities. Visit their website at stewardshipdevelopment.com for additional information.

Contractor: Allied Construction  https://www.alliedconstruction.net/ 

Date: 9-24-2025

CONTACT:

Joan Penney, Sr. Director of Resource Development, Marketing and Communications             

joanpenney@housinghope.org

425-654-4564

5830 Evergreen Way

Everett, WA 98203