After only a year in operation, Q’mmunity House is making a profound impact, achieving full occupancy by the end of its first year.
As a first-in-the-nation transitional home designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ veterans experiencing homelessness, the program provides on-site case management, essential connections to the veteran-serving community, and a safe, affirming environment.
During its inaugural year, the five-room Q’mmunity House served eight individuals, providing stable housing and tailored supportive services to veterans with complex needs. Two residents have already successfully transitioned into their preferred housing situations, demonstrating meaningful progress toward long-term stability and independence.
By addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ veterans —who often experience disproportionate rates of homelessness and discrimination—the program successfully fosters long-term stability and deep community connection.
“[Minority Veterans of America] has helped me with a lot of different things since I’ve been at Q’mmunity House. I might have been dead by now without Q’House. My case manager is a man of his word and things are improving for me.” – Q’mmunity House resident
Q’mmunity House is operated by Minority Veterans of America (MVA), a non-profit organization designed to create belonging and advance equity and justice for underrepresented veterans, including BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, and religious minority veterans.
Funded by the Department of Community & Human Services’ Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), Q’mmunity House marks a significant investment in inclusive, safe, and culturally informed housing. This sanctuary has proven especially vital during a time when changing policies and rhetoric from the federal administration have contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity for the LGBTQ+ community. For many participants, external factors intensified existing trauma, causing increased anxiety regarding personal safety, civil rights, and long-term stability.
In response, Q’mmunity House staff stepped up to provide additional emotional support, reinforcing their commitment to affirming care and ensuring a stable living environment despite external pressures.
“The progress Q’mmunity House has achieved over the past year reflects a combination of important drivers: an increasing demand for affirming, veteran-focused housing, a growing population of transgender veterans navigating shifting service bans, and the effectiveness of the Q’mmunity House team’s outreach and partnership-building efforts,” shared Susan McLaughlin, Director of King County’s Community and Human Services Department. Yet beyond these operational milestones, the most meaningful measure of our work is its impact on people’s lives. One year ago, veterans who had spent months—sometimes years—facing the devastating uncertainty of homelessness were finally able to hold a key to a home of their own.”
Thanks to established referral networks, strengthened community partnerships, and a dedicated program manager, this initiative is built for sustainable, long-term success.
“In 2024, when MVA opened the doors of Q’mmunity House, we knew it would be an important resource for LGBTQ+ veterans experiencing housing instability in King County,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America. “What we could not have anticipated then was how the world would change in the coming months and years and how quickly the need for affirming, veteran-centered housing would grow. In just one year, Q’mmunity House has become more than a place to stay, it has become a source of safety, stability, and community for veterans navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives. At a time when LGBTQ+ veterans, servicemembers, and their families are facing increased uncertainty and isolation, Q’mmunity House stands as proof that when we invest in belonging, dignity, and culturally responsive care, veterans can heal, rebuild, and thrive.”
“Q’mmunity House is designed to be a culturally responsive space for those who risked their lives to support ours,” added Michael Bailey, King County Adult Services Division Director. “We recognize and honor the distinct lived experiences of our veterans we serve, and support opportunities like those represented in our relationship with MVA to create an affirming environment for those who have historically faced exclusion in traditional settings. Our ultimate goal is to support healthy and thriving communities. As we seek to do so, it’s important that we create safe spaces where every veteran can heal, rebuild, and confidently look toward the future.”
Veterans interested in Q’mmunity House can learn more about the program and how to apply on the Q’mmunity House website.
Veterans in need of housing or other services can contact the King County Veterans Program by calling 206–263–8387 or visiting the Tukwila or Northgate offices.