Held in the very early hours of the morning, the annual One Night Count of Homeless People in King County took place on Friday, January 27th.  2,594 men, women and children had no shelter that night. This is an increase of 152 people over last year’s total, which is especially hard to note given that we have had an increase of about 60 available shelter beds in Seattle and some in other parts of the county as well.

Since 1980, the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH) and Operation Nightwatch have organized the One Night Count of people who are without shelter.  The One Night Count (ONC) is the largest community-organized count in the United States.

Over 800 volunteers went out with 125 trained team leaders to prearranged areas in parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Kent, Federal Way, Renton, Auburn, and White Center. The Count is only possible through the dedicated support from hundreds of individuals and dozens of community organizations, congregations and government agencies.

Compass Housing Alliance in Pioneer Square will again be headquarters for the Seattle count teams.  Our Shoreline Veterans Program will be home base for the counters in Shoreline, Bothell, Kenmore and Woodinville.

Mike Gregoire and Mayor Mike McGinn were among the volunteers counting this year in Seattle.  Another notable guest counter was Dr. Robert A. Petzel, the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Dr. Petzel helped count in Shoreline, spoke with some of the veteran residents there, and stopped by for breakfast later at the Pioneer Square headquarters.  Anthony Love, the Deputy Director of the federal body charged with coordinating national work to end homelessness, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness also joined in counting. Mr. Love came all the way from Washington, D.C. to participate in our One Night Count.

The Count gives people an opportunity to see the scope of the problem of homelessness in King County.  They are often very moved by the people they witness trying to survive in the cold at night.

Compass is proud to be a part of the ONC and to support the Count’s organizers and volunteers.  More results can be found on SKCCH’s website.

Compass Housing Alliance staff did an amazing job last week keeping all of our programs open, and even extending hours at many of the shelters.  The snow and ice made it difficult to get around town, but our dedicated teams made everything run smoothly.

Out of concern for the safety of our clients during the cold and wet weather, we opened our Day Center five hours early each day and our four overnight shelters were kept open all day long for most of the week.   We wish we could provide this service year-round!

A huge part of the successful response to the snow and ice is due to planning that began months ago.  Our shelter and day services team worked out their snow plans ahead of time.  We would also like to give thanks to the Millionair Club for their continued partnership and their willingness to turn their space into a day shelter during the snow.

To gear up for future inclement weather, we are looking to stock up on canned soup.  Large Costco-sized donations are best, so that we can provide a warm meal to 100+ people at once.  If you would like to donate, contact 206-357-3138 or just drop it off at 2015 3rd Ave (our Day Center) in downtown Seattle.

The Seahawks rookies volunteered at the Adult Service Center on November 15th.  They served food, talked with guests, and handed out backpacks containing hygiene items, a blanket and hats and gloves.

Check out the video here!

Wondering why construction hasn’t yet begun on the Nyer Urness House in Ballard?  Here is an update:

The opponents of the Nyer Urness House filed a law suit in King County Superior Court seeking to halt the issuance of a permit required for construction of the Nyer Urness House Apartment Building at 1753 NW 56^th Street in the Ballard Neighborhood of Seattle.  On July 5, 2011 Superior Court Judge Michael Heavey ruled that the petitions and lawsuit filed by the opponents were without merit and dismissed all of their claims.  Judge Heavey ruled that the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) had acted correctly in issuing its interpretations and determinations; that the Hearing Examiner who had heard the testimony of the 4 opponents and Compass Housing Development Team and reviewed the Compass Housing Master Use Permit process had from a factual and legal basis correctly decided the issues presented.

This decision is a significant step forward in the development process. The opponents do have the right to appeal the Hearing Examiner/Superior Court Decision to the Washington Court of Appeals.  If the opponents elect to appeal the decision they must file a Notice of Appeal on or before August 6, 2011.  We will keep you informed.

Thank you for your ongoing support for the work of Compass Housing Alliance and the development of the Nyer Urness House.

Check out this great story about The Church of Steadfast Love.  It appeared in the Spring 2011 issue of Luther Seminary’s “The Story” magazine.

See what the Bishop of the NW Washington Synod of the ELCA says about Compass Housing Alliance as a Lutheran Ministry!  Taken from April’s “The Spirit” newsletter.

Novogradac & Company awarded first place for their Developments of Distinction Awards in the category of “Major Community Impact” to Compass Housing Alliance for our Compass Veterans Center – Renton.  Read more about this national award here.

The Renton project also won Honorable Mention in the category of “Financial Innovation.”  You can read more about this award here.