"22 North" under construction at 1022 North State Street In Bellingham

KGMI News

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A new building project underway now in Bellingham will add 40 long term studio housing units for the homeless.

“22 North” is a joint effort of Northwest Youth Services and the Opportunity Council at 10-22 North State Street in Bellingham.

20 of the units will be for reserved 18-24 year olds.

Northwest Youth Services Executive Director Riannon Bardsley says there is already a waiting list of 100 young people for those units.

She says the clientele will be persons who are chronically homeless, defined as being on the street for a year or more.

A mix of public funding is financing construction, which is partially contingent upon ensuring the young clients get a hand up.

Bardsley says clients will be provided intensive case management and assistance to progress toward a high school diploma, GED, or college degree.

A capital campaign to supplement public funding sources underway now has raised $550,000 toward an $870,000 goal.

A link to the capital campaign can be found here.