This week, King County celebrated the grand opening of Don’s Place, a Health Through Housing building providing 81 units of supportive housing for people exiting chronic homelessness, including veterans and seniors. Compass Housing Alliance, a long-time provider of supportive housing and services for people experiencing homelessness, operates Don’s Place in partnership with the City of Auburn. After a soft opening in December 2022, over 50 more residents are expected to move into the upper floors, joining the 28 residents currently living at Don’s Place – a mix of individual residents, adult couples, and self-identified domestic partners.
“At Compass Housing Alliance, we believe in the power of providing more than just shelter; we strive to offer a path to stability and hope. With the support of government partners, community organizations, and the unwavering spirit of our neighbors, both housed and unhoused, we have been able to offer the community something far more valuable than just a building,” said Michael Bailey, Compass Housing Alliance President. “Through our collaboration, we have provided a beacon of hope. As we work to fill all 81 units here at Don’s Place, we hope this project can serve as a living testament to what we can achieve for others when we partner together.”
“I was won over and put at ease at Don’s Place. I have a home for the first time in my life; it’s mine, no time limit and no fee,” said David, a Don’s Place resident. “Don’s Place offers a safe place that lives up to the term coordinated care. It is safe housing; it gives you a place to grow into the person you want to be.”
Pictured from left to right: Michael Bailey, Compass Housing Alliance President; Gov. Jay Inslee; Simon Foster, King County Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development Division Director; City of Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus; Mario Williams-Sweet, King County Health Through Housing Initiatives Program Manager; Warren King George, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Muckleshoot Housing Authority; and King County Executive Dow Constantine.
Like all other Health Through Housing residences, Don’s Place will offer 24/7 building staff and support services that include food security, daily meals, case management support, and behavioral health services tailored to individual needs. With this latest opening, Health Through Housing has permanently secured 1,273 units for supportive housing – continuing progress toward the initiative’s goal to open 1,600 units for people experiencing chronic homelessness in King County. As of June 2023, 543 people are living in Health Through Housing buildings, and since the opening of the initiative’s first building in 2021, 95% of residents have stayed in their housing or moved into permanent housing elsewhere.
“Health Through Housing is one of the most impactful and sustainable tools we have to reduce homelessness throughout King County. It allows us to reverse the trauma that our neighbors face, overcome systemic challenges, and prevail over the challenges with living outside,” said Simon Foster, Director for DCHS’ Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development Division. “Don’s Place is an example of what’s possible when we work together across all levels of government, sectors, and agencies. Together, we can meet the diverse housing needs of communities, address housing inequities, and help transform lives.”
The grand opening also honored the namesake of Don’s Place, Donald Gene Castro, better known as ‘Old Man Don,’ by the local Auburn community. Known for helping everyone living outside in whatever way he could, Don also experienced the trauma of living outside. When Don passed, he received a full military burial at Tahoma National Cemetery in 2021.
“Our beloved Don Castro was known and appreciated by many in Auburn for his work in the community, and it is most appropriate that we are here today to celebrate the opening of Don’s Place. This is a milestone in the work and the promise to fight homelessness,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus. “Don’s Place is the perfect example of what can happen when multiple local, regional, and state agencies work together to solve homelessness,”
Robelia White, a case manager at Don’s Place, is named Washingtonian of the Day.
As an added surprise to the program, Governor Jay Inslee also named Robelia White Washingtonian of the Day. A case manager for Don’s Place since December 2022, Robelia dedicates much of her life to supporting individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
“The honor of being honored is an incredible feeling like no other,” said Robelia. “My purpose in life has always been to encourage a positive change in the people I meet. Whatever I do, I do it with love, compassion, understanding, and patience. This is how I honor my mom, whom I’m named after. And this is how we serve and support one another here, at Don’s Place.”
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