When D.H. unlocked the door to their new apartment at Booker House for the first time, it wasn’t just a key turning in a lock—it was the sound of stability, safety, and possibility.
“Having my own place has given me a sense of pride and comfort,” D.H. shared. “I’m thankful to be part of a new community where I feel I belong.”
Stories like D.H.’s were at the heart of the celebration as King County, community partners, and residents gathered in Federal Way to mark the grand opening of the Booker House, a new Health Through Housing residence providing 86 studio apartments of permanent supportive housing for people exiting chronic homelessness.
Housing rooted in dignity and partnership
The Booker House is part of Health Through Housing, King County’s regional response to chronic homelessness—an initiative grounded in a simple but proven idea: housing is health care. By pairing permanent housing with on-site health care and supportive services, Health Through Housing creates the stability people need to recover, rebuild, and move forward.
Operated by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS), the Booker House offers 24/7 staffing and individualized services shaped around residents’ goals. Supports include case management, connections to physical and behavioral health care, food security, financial empowerment and workforce development, transportation assistance, and community-building activities that foster belonging and long-term stability.
“The Booker House exists because of strong alignment of values and shared responsibility,” said Michelle Merriweather, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. “We’re thankful to our partners—including King County, the City of Federal Way, health partners, and faith and community organizations—for helping get these doors open. At ULMS, we are committed to honoring residents’ dignity and providing the support they need to succeed and thrive in their new homes.”
For residents like C.P., that support has already made a difference.
“As an elderly woman, this place has given me the stability that I need and haven’t had in over two years,” she said.
Carrying forward the Booker legacy
The building is named in honor of Harold G. Booker, a nationally respected housing justice leader and longtime Federal Way advocate whose work expanded access to safe, affordable housing for thousands.
“My father fought for fairness and equality in housing his entire life,” said Harold G. Booker II, speaking on behalf of the Booker family. “He believed everyone deserved dignity, health, and opportunity—and that housing security was foundational to that journey. Booker House carries his legacy forward by bringing together partners to create a place of stability, care, and hope for people rebuilding their lives.”
That legacy is reflected not only in the name on the building, but in the way the project came to life—through deep collaboration and shared accountability.
Above: Photo of Harold G. Booker; representatives from the Booker family – Harold G. Booker II, Vivian Lee, and Brad Booker; guests celebrating Ms. Lee’s birthday with a surprise cake; presenting the Booker family with a commemorative plaque honoring Harold G. Booker and his legacy, left to right: King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Harold G. Booker II, Vivian Lee, Brad Booker, ULMS President and CEO Michelle Merriweather, City of Federal Way Council President Martin Moore, and Pastor Joseph Bowman.
A model that works—and a commitment to community
Community engagement has been central to Booker House from the start. Since 2022, King County and ULMS have partnered closely with the City of Federal Way, local faith leaders, and community organizations through city council briefings, site tours, roundtables, and ongoing coordination—reflecting a commitment to transparency, trust, and being a good neighbor.
“Our faith teaches us to love our neighbors through action,” said Pastor Joseph Bowman of Integrity for Life Church. “The Booker House reflects that calling by pairing stable housing with care, accountability, and community—showing that when we support people exiting homelessness, we strengthen our neighborhoods and create safety and belonging for everyone.”
Meeting a critical housing need in Federal Way
Booker House addresses a significant gap in housing affordability in Federal Way, serving households earning at or below 30% of area median income. By 2044, the city is projected to need nearly 2,800 homes affordable at that income level—more than 20% of Federal Way’s total affordable housing need.
Before opening as permanent supportive housing, the building also served an urgent humanitarian role, providing temporary housing for nearly 800 Afghan refugees through Health Through Housing sites in Federal Way and Redmond—demonstrating the program’s flexibility and responsiveness in times of crisis.
Regional leadership and public investment
For King County and city leaders, the Booker House represents a broader commitment to addressing chronic homelessness through permanent supportive housing and cross-sector partnership.
“Health Through Housing works because it brings together cities, service providers, faith leaders, and community partners,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “For the people who will call Booker House home, this isn’t just a new building—it’s a chance to finally sleep safely, focus on their health, and start rebuilding their lives with dignity and support.”
“Federal Way is proud to welcome Booker House and the residents who will call it home,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell. “Stable housing improves public safety and community well-being, and this project shows what’s possible when cities and counties work together to be good neighbors and part of the solution.”
“When people’s needs are met, recovery from homelessness can happen,” added Jelani Jackson, Acting Deputy Director of King County’s Housing & Community Development Division. “Beyond saving costs, it creates lasting change in people’s lives—and that impact is priceless.”
Proof that housing-first delivers results
Since launching in 2021, Health Through Housing has delivered strong, measurable outcomes. Ninety-five percent of permanent supportive housing residents have remained stably housed or moved to another permanent home. Residents also experience fewer emergency room visits and hospital stays—showing that housing not only changes lives but also reduces strain on crisis systems.
Further, ninety-seven percent of Health Through Housing residents have established connections in their communities. At the Booker House, 65% of residents will be from local referrals and outreach programs based in Federal Way. This connection is not incidental. It is intentional and essential.
“Health does not exist in isolation. People are healthiest when they are rooted in community—when they know their neighbors, feel a sense of belonging, and are supported where they live,” said Susan McLaughlin, Director of the Department of Community and Human Services, the King County agency that manages the Health Through Housing initiative. “Today’s residents at the Booker House are neighbors, family members, and longtime members of this community. Here, they will find wraparound supports, health care connections, life-skills coaching, workforce development, and—just as importantly—opportunities to build community and belong.
A growing network of care
With the opening of the Booker House, 365 supportive housing units are now online in South King County through Health Through Housing. Countywide, the initiative spans 15 locations across seven cities, with more to come—including Sheila Stanton Place in Kirkland, opening later this year.
For residents like T.C., the impact is deeply personal.
“The Booker House has given me a new start,” he said. “A chance to get my life back on track.”
For many, that chance begins with something simple—and powerful: A place to finally call home.