About the Coalition on Homelessness

We are the oldest independent homeless coalition in the nation.  The Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness is rooted in the everyday and nightly experience of homelessness, and powered by the determination to secure safety, dignity, housing, and justice for people who are homeless.  The Coalition came together in 1979, when local shelter providers, city staff, advocates, and others who witnessed homelessness realized that they could serve people better and draw attention and resources to a growing crisis if they spoke with a  united voice.

Our mission is to work collaboratively to ensure safety and survival for people who are homeless, and to end the crisis of homelessness in our region.

We are proud to include among our membership nearly every agency and community organization that provides shelter, survival and support services, transitional housing, and permanent housing to the roughly 27,000 men, women, and children who are homeless in King County during one year.  Other members include local government departments, public housing authorities, professional associations, religious congregations and social action committees, and advocacy groups.  Individual members are concerned members of the public, including those who have personally experienced homelessness or supported a family member or friend who was or is homeless.  We welcome new members!