This week, King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember Jorge Barón and Compass Housing Alliance celebrated the opening of the Blaine Veterans Center, the first all-veteran 24/7 enhanced shelter in King County. The center will provide onsite services and supports to 36 veterans experiencing homelessness in King County, including case management, housing navigation support, and connections to behavioral health care, medical services, and skill development opportunities.
The King County Veterans Program, a key component of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, partnered with Compass Housing Alliance to reopen the Blaine Center as an all-veteran shelter providing trauma-informed care through a new dedicated case manager. Funding from King County has allowed the shelter to focus on serving veterans.
The case manager will work with King County Veterans Program Social Service Professionals, developing housing plans and connecting veterans to resources, with the goal of long-term stability.
Compass Housing Alliance, a long-time provider of supportive housing and emergency services for people experiencing homelessness, operates the Blaine Veterans Center.
“This new all-veteran shelter provides a safe space and support services to help veterans get on a path to stable housing,” said Executive Constantine. “With the opening of the Blaine Veterans Center, King County and Compass Housing Alliance are creating a critical resource to serve those who have served our nation.”
“My time here at Blaine Veterans Center has been an amazing experience. The facility is nice, clean, and safe, with individual space to sleep in and a large area to watch TV, play board games, read, and visit. The food is always hot and on time, and it tastes good. The staff are very helpful, caring, and thoughtful. They help with appointments, transportation assistance, and filling out paperwork, as well as helping us understand it,” said a current Blaine Veterans Center guest. “At a time when so much of my life is uncertain, and I’m not sure if anyone cares, I know the staff care, giving me peace of mind and hope.”
This collaboration between the King County Veterans Program and Compass Housing Alliance provides veterans with a path to housing through the Collaborative Case Management (CCM) program. The CCM program is a first-in-the-nation, award-winning program that has provided housing for 170 veterans since its launch in 2021, helping reduce veteran homelessness in King County by 40%.
“The transformation of the Blaine Center into the Blaine Veterans Center is far more than a mere name change; it symbolizes our commitment to honoring the service of our nation’s heroes,” said Compass Housing Alliance President Michael Bailey. “Through a strategic partnership with King County Department of Community and Human Services, Compass Housing Alliance has transcended the concept of a traditional shelter and instead created a supportive community space where veterans can find acceptance, understanding, and the wrap-around support needed to support their transition back to stable housing.”
“We are proud of our partnership with Compass Housing Alliance to work together to create a new service hub and a safe place to sleep for King County veterans,” said Leon Richardson, Department of Community and Human Services Adult Services Division Director. “In 2023, the King County Veterans Program, from our Northgate and Tukwila locations, served 2,700 veterans, servicemembers, or their families and provided over $3.4 million in financial assistance, of which over 60% supported housing needs. There are still more veterans in King County that need our support. Compass Housing Alliance, along with our partners, will offer veteran-specific services at the Blaine Veterans Center. This will help us reach even more veterans, providing support that will help them secure and maintain stable housing.”
“As a long-time resident of Queen Anne, I am proud to welcome the Blaine Veterans Center, the first all-veteran 24/7 enhanced shelter in King County, as my neighbor,” said King County Councilmember Jorge Barón. “More shelter and housing are needed across King County to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness transition to stable housing. The Blaine Veterans Center will be a great resource to veterans, supporting them as they have given so much to their communities.”
Images of the Blaine Veterans Center.
The King County Veterans Program, a program of the King County Department of Community and Human Services, convenes regional partners at its Northgate and Tukwila offices. By focusing on removing barriers and providing financial, housing, employment, behavioral health, wellness, and other supportive services, the program is delivering equitable opportunities for empowering veterans, servicemembers, and their families to achieve their greatest potential.
Veterans in need of housing or other services can contact the King County Veterans Program by calling 206–263–8387, or by visiting the Tukwila or Northgate offices.
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