D’s Story

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D has been a part of Lake City Partners’ GLA Day Center community since 2019. She had been swept by the city more than 50 times, and although this became a normal part of her life, GLA staff noticed how D consistently remained kind, thoughtful and an engaged community leader. D touched base with GLA regularly to not only check in on her neighbors but also to hopefully find herself housed.

When Chief Seattle Club opened a permanent supportive housing building, Sacred Medicine House, in Lake City, D expressed that this was the only place she wanted to be housed. After several months of working closely with a case manager from the GLA Day Center, D was selected for housing at Sacred Medicine House! 

It is not easy to keep showing up for yourself and others when you are fighting the challenges of chronic homelessness but D’s perseverance meant she was able to spend the New Year in her new home. Congrats D! Welcome home!

S’s Story

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S and his cat, Bingo, moved into Lake City Partner’s Aurora Oaks Enhanced Shelter earlier this year after being referred to us by one of our close community partners at Aurora Commons. 

S never imagined he would find himself in such a vulnerable place. After the loss of his wife, his life took him on an unexpected journey. In the months that followed her passing, S traveled the country in his home – an RV – with Bingo by his side. He eventually had to return to Seattle because the RV caught on fire, plus S really needed the support from his family during that trying time.

Despite these setbacks, S remained positive. His original plan had been to head east to Florida in the RV, where he and Bingo hoped to settle into retirement. But as their time at Aurora Oaks came to an end, S joked that Bingo had “other plans” and was ready to find a true, fur-ever home – one that didn’t rest on wheels.

Through persistence and regular check-ins with case management, S finally received the long-awaited news: he had been selected for a new unit with our partners at Plymouth Housing. Now he and Bingo have settled into their new home, filled with amenities and the support S needs. This is looking like a new adventure, S! Welcome home.

S’s Story

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Lake City Partners first connected with S at the LCP Housing Assistance Point (HAP) located at Aurora Commons. During their conversation, S shared that she was pregnant and had been living in her vehicle for several years. Staff completed her King County Regional Homelessness Authority Coordinated Entry System assessment and identified what a good service match would look like for her and her future family.

After a few months, LCP staff were able to connect S with transitional housing. However, due to circumstances beyond LCP staff’s control, the placement fell through, and S did not have a home to move into. S’s baby was due soon and she feared for her future child.

Lake City Partners’ staff reassured S that all was not lost and together they continued to work towards housing. Within a few months, S signed her lease and received her keys for permanent housing, just in time to deliver her healthy new baby!

Congratulations to both you and your little one, S! We are so glad you both have a safe and secure place to call home.

M’s Story

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M originally moved to Seattle with her son in hopes of finding stable employment and housing, leaving behind a difficult situation in New Mexico that no longer served her family’s needs. She arrived in Seattle with a job lined up, only for things to unexpectedly fall apart.

On Christmas Eve, M found herself in an unimaginable situation: she and her son and their cat living in her car on the streets of Seattle. She was eventually able to find some friends who were able to temporarily house her son, but this left M alone, navigating the complex housing system by herself. She understood that this was the best shot she had to get her family to a better place. 

After months of effort to rebuild their lives, M and her cat found safety and shelter at Aurora Oaks. Once stable, and with tremendous perseverance, she was able to find employment and – ultimately – a place of her own through the private rental market.

This holiday season, M will be spending the holidays inside her own home, once again able to cook her favorite holiday meals for the people she loves, a beautiful milestone compared to just one year ago. M, we are so proud to welcome you home.

W’s Story

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W was originally referred to us by our community partner, Aurora Commons. For weeks, W had been waiting patiently for an opening at our Aurora Oaks Enhanced Shelter, doing everything in their power to survive on the streets of Seattle.
From the moment W arrived at Aurora Oaks, they proved to be nothing but an engaged, respectful and caring member of our community. As their stay with us came to an end, an exciting opportunity became available; through our partners at Lavender Rights Project, W was connected to a brand-new housing unit in a building that had just opened in October.
For W, this new home represents more than just stability; it marks a fresh start and a safe space where they can fully embrace their truest, most authentic self.
Congratulations on your new home, W! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see all the wonderful things this next chapter will bring.

J’s Story

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Lake City Partners first met J during their initial intake at Aurora Oaks. During their stay, our Client Services team met repeatedly with J and developed a close rapport, which allowed us to understand their needs and secure an appropriate service match.
Now, after 15 years of homelessness, J has officially moved in! Stable housing has already allowed J the space to grow and reconnect with their extended family. As an avid sports fan, J has been thrilled to attend their nephew’s high school baseball games and is looking forward to having their father — whom J considers their best friend — visit J at their new home. We are so excited for you, J, and this new chapter in your life! Welcome home!

C’s Story

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C was a lifelong resident of Shoreline, well-known among many local service providers who have worked together over the years to provide him support. Despite these efforts, there was one essential need that has remained unmet: housing.

C faced significant physical disabilities that made it difficult to maintain full-time employment, and this created long-term barriers to stable housing. After connecting with several Shoreline-based services, C was eventually referred to Lake City Partners. Our team met with him and successfully secured him a placement at our Aurora Oaks Enhanced Shelter.

However, after spending over a decade living alone and outdoors, the transition to a structured shelter environment was a challenge for C. After an attempt to stay at Aurora Oaks, he chose to leave the program, though he maintained an active housing referral.

Eventually, C’s apartment became rent-ready . . . but our team was unable to locate him. This was heart-wrenching for us, knowing all that C had been through, but thanks to the patience and flexibility of our partners at DESC, we were able to keep the opportunity open as we searched for C.

After several weeks, a Shoreline provider contacted Lake City Partners directly with great news – C had stopped by and was once again seeking shelter! By a stroke of luck, C was able to sign his lease that very day for an apartment located by everything familiar to him.

We are thrilled to see C take this next step and begin a new chapter in the area he has always called home. Congratulations, C! Welcome home!

M’s Story

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Born and raised in Seattle, M found himself homeless after a series of difficult setbacks. When he first joined Lake City Partners at Aurora Oaks, he was understandably hesitant and nervous about entering the shelter environment. For many individuals who have experienced prolonged homelessness, adjusting to a structured setting can be a significant challenge.

Through consistent, reliable engagement and compassionate care, LCP staff worked to build a trusting and supportive relationship with M. He slowly began to open up and feel more comfortable and soon became one of our most valued community members, always ready to lend a helping hand to staff and clients.

As M grew more connected to the community, we were happy to share some life-changing news: he had been selected for housing. After more than five years without stable shelter, M was on the verge of a new beginning.

But even at the paperwork appointment, M’s hesitation lingered. The transition from homelessness to permanent housing is not just a change in location, it’s an emotional and psychological shift that can feel overwhelming. LCP staff remained by his side, offering reassurance and standing by him at every step of the process.

Eventually, M accepted the housing opportunity and wound up thrilled with his new home. Witnessing his transformation has been a powerful reminder of the resilience within each person and the impact of patient, compassionate support. Congratulations, M! Welcome home!

C and D’s Story Part 2

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We are thrilled to be able to share part 2 of a New Places, Happy Faces story about a couple’s joint path to housing! Last month D moved into her new home, and we are pleased to report that C has received the keys to his home as well!

C and D have faced immense challenges over the years, yet through it all, they found strength in each other. Together for over a decade, they were determined not to let homelessness define their future.

During their time with Lake City Partners, they received a housing referral and spent several weeks working closely with the provider. Unfortunately, that opportunity fell through, leaving C and D both discouraged. But even in the face of disappointment, they refused to give up.

LCP continued supporting them, helping them navigate new options. In time, they were connected to the right services, and eventually secured other housing referrals, this time, successfully! D moved into her home a few weeks ago, and now C has moved into his own studio apartment that is just a 15 minute drive from D. Congratulations to both C and D! Welcome home!

G’s Story

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G had been experiencing homelessness since 2011 after enduring significant family hardships, and they came to Seattle to start a new chapter. Lake City Partners first connected with G during their intake at Aurora Oaks. Through many respectful and attentive conversations over the course of many months, the Client Services team was able to build trust with G and gain an understanding of their unique needs and challenges. Together, G and the team navigated the path to stable housing to secure a supportive living arrangement that aligned with G’s goals.

Today, after so many years of challenges, G has officially moved into their new apartment, a space that not only offers safety and comfort, but the opportunity to grow, heal and thrive. They’re already dreaming of adopting a cat to share their new life with.

G’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of embracing our true, authentic selves. Congratulations, G, your courage inspires us all! Welcome home!