The Casino Road neighborhood, located in Everett, WA, is a predominantly LatinX community, home to a significant portion of Everett’s communities of color and low-income households. This area faces potential displacement risks due to upcoming transit and infrastructure investments, including two planned light rail stations and limited permanently affordable housing. The district encompasses diverse zones including retail, commercial, industrial, and residential areas.
A coalition of community-based and faith-based organizations is actively engaged in meeting basic needs and providing essential social services. To support this vibrant community, LISC has collaborated with community partners to develop an economic agenda that focuses on building capacity to assist small businesses, establishing new workforce development programs, and organizing community efforts around development opportunities. Our initiatives align with the City of Everett’s comprehensive plan update and Sound Transit station-area planning.
LISC’s economic development planning and funding are crucial for implementing new programs aimed at enhancing access to economic opportunities in this evolving landscape.
In August 2023, LISC Puget Sound and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County engaged Schemata Workshop and Crux Consulting NW to convene housing stakeholders to develop the Casino Road Affordable Housing Work Plan. The purpose of this work was both to convene a group of stakeholders interested in affordable housing for Casino Road and to identify opportunities for increased housing options and stability.
Casino Road Initiatives
- Investing in Parks and Recreation: Creating accessible and culturally relevant parks and recreational areas
- Expanding Economic Opportunities: Offering workforce development programs and support for local businesses
- Growing Organizational Capacity: Strengthening community-based organizations to engage in economic development and partnerships.
- Advocating for Affordable Housing: Developing and preserving affordable housing near transit amenities.
Impact
- Financial Literacy: 15 participants enrolled in financial literacy initiatives.
- ESL Education: 26 graduates from Madres de Casino Road ESL classes.
- Childcare and Early Education: 15 graduates from the Imagine Institute, creating career opportunities in Early Childhood Education.
- Entrepreneurship: 21 graduates from the Ventures Basic Business Course; additional support provided to propel entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Community Improvements: New picnic area to be operational by spring; installation of 5-8 signal box art pieces to celebrate community culture and reduce graffiti.
- Community Decision-Making: City of Everett Arts Commission now includes a majority of community decision-makers.
- Affordable Housing: Completion of the Casino Road Affordable Housing Workplan after a four-month engagement process, focusing on the preservation and creation of affordable units, tenant and homeowner preservation, homeownership, and improving the enabling environment.
Key Partners
- Connect Casino Road: Engaging in new programming and transitioning into an independent 501(c)(3).
- Ventures: Supporting small business training and entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Workforce Snohomish: Collaborating on workforce development initiatives.
- City of Everett Parks Department: Engaging in parks and recreational projects.
- Imagine Institute: Strengthening childcare support and creating career opportunities in Early Childhood Education.
- Madres de Casino Road: Organizing community programs and cultural events.
- Homes and Hope CLT: Focusing on community ownership and affordable housing projects.
- Team Soapbox: Collaborating on video production to inspire and engage the community.
- City of Everett: Participating in the Affordable Housing Workplan and other urban planning efforts.
- Community Foundation of Snohomish County: Partnering on community and economic development projects.
- Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County: Collaborating on affordable housing initiatives.
- Housing Hope: Supporting housing and community development projects.
Looking Forward
- Workforce Strategies and Financial Opportunity Centers: Launching new strategies and Financial Opportunity Centers® to increase income and assets for residents.
- Affordable Housing Implementation: Partnering with the Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County to implement the affordable housing work plan.
- Community Development Corporation: Supporting the development of a new Community Development Corporation to expand real estate development and support small businesses.
- Ongoing Partnerships: Continuing collaboration with community groups and local government to support placemaking, equitable economic development, and prevent displacement.
Our partners at Team SoapBox developed this short video to highlight the community vision for Casino Road. View it in English and Spanish and contact us to get involved.