Homelessness in Seattle

Putting a face on one of the region’s greatest challenges

By Jacqueline Koch

“Without question we are facing one of the greatest epidemics of modern time,” stated Robert M. Bowery, Director of Clinical Services of Seattle’s Compass Housing Alliance (CHA), a non-profit providing shelter, housing and support services to the homeless population in 23 locations in the Puget Sound region.

Boost! Collective


As our federal, state, county and city governments scramble to find solutions, we are surrounded by the stark realities of homelessness every day: walking through downtown, driving along highway underpasses, jogging through city parks. More than 10,000 people are living on the streets. For each of them, every day is a struggle to find a safe place to spend the night. While right in front of us, homelessness is so pervasive that we barely see it anymore. We are losing sight of the fact homelessness is about real people—men, women, children—and their struggle serves as a daily reminder that there is no easy solution.”

How do we shine a light on the complexities of an issue many choose to turn a blind eye to? How do we ignite the genuine goodwill in a community and mobilize them to identify with and help their new neighbors who are hoping to transition from homelessness to home?

These challenges became paramount when our team began working with CHA on their upcoming project, Compass Crossing. This is an innovative, steel-frame modular housing community that brings together dignified housing and people-centered services to add 13 new housing units in Columbia City in response to Seattle’s homeless crisis. It is an important stride forward to respond rapidly to an escalating need that shows no sign of easing.


Using storytelling to engage the community

For the Compass Crossing project to succeed, it required community support and buy in. The task for Boost! was to humanize a promising project based on an innovative approach and to shifting the spotlight onto the people who will soon call it home. Our task was to effectively bring a voice to the new residents and connect them with local community.

We know emotional, authentic and original stories are a powerful catalyst to building bridges. And we know that genuine, eye-opening perspective comes from unexpected storytellers. And we found one: Justin Phillippi, program manager at CHA’s Nyer Urness House. His hard-won insight from first-hard experience shaped the first of a series—Dispatch from the Frontlines.  We are pleased to share this here.


Boost! Collective is a story-driven marketing and communications firm. We discover, create and tell the powerful stories that drive deep engagement with your audiences.