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Compass Housing Alliance 

Description

Compass Housing Alliance provides a range of services to homeless and low-income men and women over 18 years of age, as well as families with children. Many of our day service and shelter clients suffer from mental illness, physical disabilities chemical dependency, or some combination of these. We also provide low-income housing to families and individuals who are not able to afford market rate housing and offer programs tailored to meet the needs of homeless veterans.

Mission Statement
In the Lutheran tradition of caring through service, Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in the greater Puget Sound region.
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Compass Housing Alliance
77 S Washington St 
Seattle 
WA
98104-2519 
(206) 357-3100 

M.J. Kiser 
Acting Director 

Programs

Compass Housing Alliance Programs

Emergency Services
Compass Housing Alliance Day Services are designed to help those in crisis and living on the streets work toward stability, independence and healthy community life. They include: hygiene services (laundry, showers, restrooms), mail, banking, and eviction prevention. Our four emergency overnight shelters provide a safe place to sleep and the opportunity to engage with counselors and take the next steps toward a more healthy life.

Transitional Housing
These programs allow clients to work with a case manager, set goals and stabilize income, with the objective of moving into permanent housing. Longer client stays (6-24 months) help develop more supportive relationships between clients and case managers. Compass operates a 32-room women’s program, a 78-bed men’s program and 16 shared transitional homes in neighborhoods across Seattle. We also offer 44+ units of family housing in our HomeStep Program which takes a holistic approach to helping families gain stability and permanent housing.

Permanent Housing
Compass develops and manages low-income properties that are rented by families and individuals at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. In 2009, the average annual household income was about $22,000. Five properties provide housing to around 500 people, half of whom are children. One building is for seniors over age 55. Property coordinators organize social activities and community building programs, and residents work together to maintain the properties.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Nyer Urness House
Opened in April of 2013, the building located in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood provides 80 units of housing to formerly homeless adults. Intensive supportive services and case management are provided to help the tenants be successful in their new housing situation. 

Dekko Place Apartments
Opened in April of 2012, the building provides 50 units of workforce housing above Gethsemane Lutheran church in downtown Seattle. A number of the units are set aside for people who have disabilities or were homeless.

Compass Veterans Center – Renton
In September 2010, we celebrated the opening of this building. Compass has a long history of focusing housing programs on the needs particular to homeless people who have served in the military. This is our first project that provides housing for homeless veterans with families, as well as single veterans. The program features 20 family apartments, 38 single units, community spaces, an outdoor play area, computer lab, case management services, and children’s programming.

Current Donation Needs
We are in the business of helping people get clean and get a night's rest. Our biggest in-kind needs are hygiene supplies, sheets, and towels. Please see our listing of other needs and our in-kind donation policy at our website.

Evaluation


Compass Housing Alliance serves homeless and low income adults and families.  They provide emergency shelter, transitional and permanent low income housing.  The also offer mail, banking, representative payee services, hygiene facilities, veteran specific services, and an adult day center for homeless adults. 

Proven Success
Over the past three years their agency has grown. Their merger with LATCH in 2010 expanded their property holdings, their potential to develop affordable housing and their ties to congregations. In July 2011 they acquired the HomeStep transitional housing program, increasing the number of units they have available and their opportunity to work with homeless families. In April 2012 their new Dekko Place Apartments began leasing while work on their other properties continued to move forward.

Nyer Urness House is under construction, due to open in April 2013, and they continue to seek funding to complete construction of the medical clinic which will be operated by Neighborcare Health and will be located on the second floor of the building.  They are also developing a 74-unit apartment building facing Denny Park.  They are finalizing the design, raising necessary capital, and completing a competitive bid process to identify a general contractor with the goal of beginning construction in August 2013.

Leadership
A committee comprised of Board members and staff Directors undertook a strategic planning process to identify goals and objectives to guide the agency for the next five years. A 2012 – 2016 Strategic Plan was adopted by their board in January 2012. The agency has a roadmap for the coming five years, and a strong position from which to meet the challenges and opportunities in the year ahead. 

Compass Housing Alliance Executive Director Rick Friedhoff retired in October 2012. The Board of Directors has adopted a succession plan to ensure a smooth transition and they have formed a Board transition team to conduct a search for a new executive director.  The transition team is proceeding with an evaluation of organizational needs, recognizing the importance of fiscal responsibility and the significant development role required of the position. They plan to involve staff and community stakeholders in the selection process that will take place over the coming months.

Financial Health
They receive funding from diverse sources including government contracts, program fees, private contributions, United Way, developer fees and investments. Some of their programs are largely government funded while others rely on private sources. They experienced a serious operating deficit in 2010, due to increased costs and less than expected fund-raising and developer fee revenue.  Beginning in 2011 they froze salaries, held back on filling staffing vacancies and consolidated management responsibilities.  On the revenue side they engaged in targeted outreach to supporting congregations, including a revitalization and expansion of formalized congregational partnerships.  They also expanded volunteer opportunities, increased grant writing and research, and initiated a lapsed donor plan among other fund-raising efforts. These measures, resulted in revenues exceeding expenses (excluding depreciation and non-cash interest) by a small amount - $24,554 - at the close of 2011, and have kept them in the black for 2012. 

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2013 $20,000.00provide general operating support.
3/10/2012 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/10/2011 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.
9/10/2009 $50,000.00support general operating expenses.
10/5/2006 $40,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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