Downtown Emergency Service Center

History

In the late 1970s, concerns were raised to Seattle's mayor that there were increases in homelessness and that the mentally ill were not getting the services they needed. Because of these concerns, the City of Seattle, the Church Council of Seattle and WAMI (Washington Advocates for the Mentally Ill) partnered to open the center in 1979.

Innovation

1811 Eastlake project

DESC designed and developed the 1811 Eastlake project to house up to 75 formerly homeless alcoholics. Residents in this housing project are permitted to possess and consume alcohol in their rooms and are not required to enroll in treatment as a condition of their housing. These terms were initially controversial as critics voiced anger that residents did not have to stay sober.

A study by the University of Washington showed a 35 percent reduction in heavy drinking among 1811 residents and a substantially reduced frequency of delirium tremens. A 2006 study by the University of Washington found that 1811 Eastlake improved residents' lives and saved Seattle more than $2 million each year.

Housing First

DESC partnered with Pathways to Housing to sponsor the first ever conference on the Housing First model of social services.

References

References

1. "DESC: Housing & Health to End Homelessness".
2. Martha R. Burt, Walter R. McDonald & Associates, Urban Institute, United States. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. "Strategies for reducing chronic street homelessness: final report". DIANE.
3. Hope, Majorie. (January 18, 1984). "The Homeless: On the Street, on the Road". Christian Century.
4. Kowal, Jessica. (2006-07-05). "Homeless Alcoholics Receive a Permanent Place to Live, and Drink". The New York Times.
5. (May 2025)
6. Vanderkam, Laura. (2008-04-28). "Give them homes". [[USA Today]].
7. (2012-03-26). "Housing First Conference in New Orleans brings leaders together to improve, share this successful model | News | Media Center". Usich.gov.