Reframing the way we think about substance use disorder
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2024 issue #4
- Reframing treatment
- DESC Equity Report
- Gimme Shelter success
- Two new PSH buildings under construction
"The way we talk about treatment is devastating," DESC RN supervisor says
Substance use disorder is a miserable condition to live with, and each person's treatment is different. In this short video from the program spotlight, "Mission Possible," presented before our annual Gimme Shelter concert, DESC's Jeremy Hoog talks about what he sees in his work.
"Mission Possible" featured an expert panel weighing in on homelessness and harm reduction. Thank you to Co-director of the University of Washington’s Harm Reduction Research and Treatment (HaRRT) Center Seema L. Clifasefi, PhD; Director of the King County Department of Community & Human Services Kelly Rider; DESC Opioid Treatment Network Nurse Supervisor Jeremy Hoog; DESC Deputy Director of Strategy Nicole Macri; and DESC Executive Director Daniel Malone.
You can watch the full program on our YouTube/DESCSeattle channel.
DESC makes equity progress, with more to do
DESC is making progress in its equity efforts, according to our 2024 DESC Equity Report. Read the report here.
DESC’s Office for Equity and Inclusion (OEI), led by Director Rhonda Banchero, works to ensure all staff and clients have equitable access to explicit and implicit privileges and benefits at DESC.
We’ll be sharing more details and insights from the Office for OEI in the coming months.
You made Gimme Shelter 2024 fun & successful!
Thank you to our community, Billy Joe Huels, the Dusty 45s and all of our corporate sponsors for a successful Gimme Shelter 2024! Visit our website to read more and view some pictures from the event.
We've started building 200 new homes!
We're building 200 additional homes for our unhoused neighbors who are living with complex challenges.
DESC is working with Absher Construction to build two new permanent supportive housing sites. These sites will provide wrap-around services for adults living with disabilities who have experienced homelessness for over one year:
Preliminary rendering of DESC Woodland is subject to change.–courtesy of SMR Architects
- Construction crews from Absher began work at DESC Woodland, 4905 Aurora Ave. N., in September, with the demolition of existing building pads and foundations, clearing of vegetation, rough grading and utility and electrical duct bank excavation. DESC Woodland will have 95 apartments. Read more here.
Preliminary rendering of building at 15th Ave. W. is subject to change.–courtesy of SMR Architects
- Our 15th Ave. W. building in Interbay will include 109 units. Absher is preparing to start framing in mid-November.
456 people
welcomed into DESC homes since Jan. 1
DESC in the news
Seattle Nice: real solutions to homelessness with DESC’s Daniel Malone, PubliCola, Oct. 23. DESC Executive Director Daniel Malone talked about a range of homelessness issues on the podcast, Seattle Nice, with Sandeep Kaushik (also chair of the DESC Board of Directors), PubliCola’s Erica C. Barnett and KUOW political reporter David Hyde.
Preble Street holds conference to discuss complex factors that impact homelessness, News Center Maine, Oct. 17. At a recent conference in Maine, DESC Director of Housing Noah Fay explained Housing First and why it’s an evidence-based solution to addressing homelessness. The event brought together over 250 leaders in local and state government, nonprofit agencies, municipalities, faith organizations, businesses and people with lived experience to focus on solutions and strategies to help Maine end homelessness. DESC is mentioned in Preble Street to host Second, Biennial Conference on Homelessness, Sept. 16.
HUD Announces $28 Million to Bolster Local Housing Programs Across America, HUD Exchange, Oct. 16. DESC will receive $587,843 “to provide housing and services that are critical to sustaining housing stability, promoting better health outcomes, and increasing quality of life for Americans living with HIV and AIDS.” DESC is one of 23 local organizations and agencies nationwide to receive funding.
Housing First policies, affordable housing and health care make the community better. You can act to support DESC's efforts: educate, advocate, donate, volunteer, attend an event or join our staff.
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