Organizational History

HomeStep is the result of the recent merge of two successful transitional housing programs at the Church Council of Greater Seattle: The Homelessness Project (THP) and The Self-Managed Housing Program (SMHP).

THP began housing families in 4 church-donated units in West Seattle in 1989. Before the merge with SMHP in November 2007, THP worked successfully with over 310 families, including 618 children. 79% of client families leaving the program stabilized their lives and moved into apartments or homes of their own. The successful program model of THP has become the Families Program of HomeStep.

SMHP was created to unite 3 smaller transitional housing programs which primarily supported individuals and youth in 2000. The “self managed housing” model that SMHP adopted has become the core features of the Singles Program of HomeStep.

HomeStep is a program of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. The Church Council is the largest ecumenical organization in the state, comprising of 17 member denominations and over 400 churches. The Church Council addresses homelessness in many ways. Social Justice Ministries focuses on homelessness advocacy including affordable housing, tent city, homeless sweeps, and city, county, and state funding for supportive services. The Sharehouse collects and distributes donated furniture and household items to those exiting homelessness.