Federal Way city leaders, including several members of the City Council, cut the ribbon Wednesday on Booker House, a new Health Through Housing residence just off South 320th Street. The converted building, named in honor of housing justice advocate Harold G. Booker, now holds 86 units of permanent supportive housing that come with on-site health care and wraparound services for people exiting chronic homelessness.
What Booker House Provides
According to program details from King County, Booker House is set up as permanent supportive housing, with private units and on-site case management. The county notes that the Federal Way site is an 86-unit conversion meant to serve people leaving chronic homelessness, with medical coordination and 24/7 staffing designed to connect residents to services that can support long-term stability.
Partnership And Site Details
The project was developed in partnership with King County and is operated by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, with the building officially carrying the Booker House name, as reported by the Federal Way Mirror. The Mirror identifies the site as 1400 S. 320th Street and notes that its conversion is part of the county’s broader effort to turn former hotels into service-enriched housing.
How Health Through Housing Fits The County’s Strategy
County officials have been pursuing a strategy of buying and converting motels and hotels into housing with integrated services instead of relying solely on conventional shelter models. As KIRO 7 has reported, the Health Through Housing initiative combines permanent housing with health and case-management supports and has become a key tool in King County’s work to reduce chronic homelessness.
Officials, Staffing And Next Steps
Mayor Jim Ferrell highlighted the grand opening in a post on X, noting the presence of local elected officials and city councilmembers at the ceremony and emphasizing that the building honors Harold G. Booker. The Urban League is currently hiring site staff for the Federal Way location, including support-service roles linked to the Booker House program, according to a listing on APSCareerPortal.com.
What This Means For Federal Way
County leaders describe Health Through Housing conversions as a longer-term strategy to reduce chronic homelessness by pairing housing units with health and social supports, according to King County. Local officials who attended the ribbon cutting said they hope Booker House will help connect people to care and move residents into permanent, sustainable housing options.
