What Compass Housing Alliance does

Compass Housing Alliance is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1920 as the Lutheran Sailors and Loggers Mission, serving adults and families experiencing chronic homelessness and housing instability across the Puget Sound region. Effective January 1, 2026, the organization legally merged with Lutheran Community Services Northwest and now operates as a division of LCSNW. Compass delivers a continuum-of-care service model spanning emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing across approximately 20 locations from Shoreline to Auburn. Its portfolio includes the Compass Multi-Service Center in Pioneer Square (day services, mail, showers, laundry, case management), enhanced 24/7 non-congregate shelters (Otto's Place for men, Jan & Peter's Place for women, the Blaine Veterans Center for Veterans), family housing programs, and specialized Veterans housing at the Renton and Shoreline Veterans Centers. Notable recent facility launches include Don's Place (Feb 2024, serving 91 participants with disabilities) and the Blaine Veterans Center (April 2024, King County's first Veterans-only 24/7 enhanced shelter, capacity 36).

The organization is funded through four primary streams: individual donations (3,000+ supporters contributing in 2025, including a $700K+ holiday campaign and the Circle of Compassion recurring program), foundation and corporate grants (Boeing, Liberty Mutual Foundation since 2011, Horizon House, Stewart family major gift), government contracts (King County Regional Homelessness Authority, City of Seattle, the $970M 2023 Seattle Housing Levy, King County Health Through Housing Initiative), and in-kind contributions. Headcount is 101–250 employees. All client services are provided free of charge. Strategic partnerships are deeply embedded in operations: Boeing provides both capital and volunteer labor, the Seattle Seahawks is a recurring Spirit of 12 partner, and academic partners (UW School of Nursing) are piloting staff support programs. Compass has no proprietary technology product; its digital stack consists of a WordPress website, Blackbaud donation processing, and Paylocity HR/recruiting systems.

Name

Compass Housing Alliance

Legal name

Compass Housing Alliance

Website

https://compasshousingalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Compass Housing Alliance is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1920 and now a division of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, operating approximately 20 emergency shelters, affordable housing properties, and multi-service sites across the Puget Sound region for individuals, families, Veterans, and seniors experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Affordable Housing

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Affordable housing
• Emergency shelter
• Supportive housing
• Social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Compass receives donations from individual supporters through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations via the Circle of Compassion program, and legacy/planned giving. In 2025, more than 3,000 supporters made financial contributions.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grants from foundations and corporations including Boeing ($100,000 for veterans mental health support), Liberty Mutual Foundation (ongoing since 2011), Horizon House Senior Living ($6,000 grant), and Carol and Peter Stewart (major gift for Stewart Family Leadership Development Pathway).
3. Government Funding: Funding from government entities including King County Regional Homelessness Authority, City of Seattle, and King County for shelter operations, affordable housing development, and veterans services. The 2023 Seattle Housing Levy ($970 million) supports affordable housing initiatives.
4. In-Kind Donations: Hundreds of thousands of dollars in in-kind support including goods, services, volunteer hours, and pro-bono contributions from community partners, businesses, and organizations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Compass Housing Alliance is a nonprofit social services organization that provides emergency shelter, affordable housing, and support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the Puget Sound region. Its offerings span a continuum of care including 24/7 non-congregate emergency shelters, 15+ permanent affordable housing properties, specialized Veterans housing, family programs, and day services through the Compass Multi-Service Center including mail, showers, laundry, case management, and housing navigation.

Product overview

Compass Housing Alliance is a nonprofit housing and social services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and facilities. The organization operates approximately 20 locations across the Puget Sound region, providing enhanced emergency shelters (non-congregate shelter model), 15+ affordable housing properties, specialized Veterans housing programs, and family services. The Compass Multi-Service Center serves as a central hub providing day services including mail, hygiene, case management, and referrals. Additional offerings include the NAVIGATES community education speaker series and online donation capabilities. As of January 2026, Compass became a division of Lutheran Community Services Northwest following their merger.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Enhanced Emergency Shelter Programs Non-congregate emergency shelter model providing overnight shelter with 24/7 on-site support services and intensive case management including housing navigation. Includes Otto's Place Men's Shelter, Blaine Veterans Center Enhanced Shelter, and Jan & Peter's Place Women's Shelter for adults experiencing homelessness.
• Affordable Housing Portfolio Portfolio of 15+ permanent affordable housing properties offering independent living for seniors, supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals, and affordable apartments for low-income and working-class households. Properties include Don's Place, Angle Lake Court, Compass Broadview, Cascade Women's Program, Ronald Commons (60 units), and others across the Puget Sound region.
• Veterans Programs Housing and support services designed for military Veterans, including Renton Veterans Center, Shoreline Veterans Center, and Blaine Veterans Center Enhanced Shelter. Provides on-site services, case management, and housing navigation for Veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and other service-related challenges.
• Family Programs Programs serving families in emergency, transitional, and supportive housing situations with case management, support, and resources. Includes Compass Broadview, Bergen Place, Easternwood Apartments, and Renton Veterans Center family programming.
• Compass Center (Compass Multi-Service Center) One-stop facility in Pioneer Square providing essential services including mail services, case management, shelter and housing referrals, showers, laundry, and access to medical professionals. Houses the Day Center, Hygiene Center, and Client Services Office open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm on walk-in basis.
• Compass Housing Alliance NAVIGATES Community conversations and speaker series exploring complex issues around homelessness through quarterly educational events in various formats including Q&A sessions, lectures, and community dialogues with a focus on collaboration.
• Harm Reduction Vending Machine Vending machine providing lifesaving Naloxone and fentanyl test strips to program guests and the extended community using a trauma-informed harm-reduction model.
• Donation Platform Online donation system enabling one-time gifts, monthly giving through the Circle of Compassion program, in-kind donations, donor-advised funds, stock donations, vehicle donations, and legacy gifts, processed through Blackbaud adaptive donor form.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,000 supporters contributed financially in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of Washington School of NursingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026UW Nursing students Sabrina and Nathanael conducted a pilot program called 'Burnout Prevention Training for Frontline Staff' with 14 case managers over 5 weeks. Program explored mindfulness, stress reduction, self-care, boundaries, grief, and acceptance.
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Legal merger completed January 1, 2026. Compass is now a division of LCSNW. Combining LCSNW's network of health and human services with Compass's expertise in affordable housing and emergency services. Partnership growing closer over 7 years before merger.
• Seattle SeahawkscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Spirit of 12 Partner and Honoring our Heroes award recipient. Seahawks staff participate in volunteer service days at Veterans centers. Joint presence at Seattle Pride Parade and community events.
• Structure SalonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Local salon that provided haircuts and joy to residents at Cascade Women's Program through Margot & Friends events. Part of community partnership program bringing services to residents.
• Canlis RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Delivered meals to Veterans at Blaine Veterans Center on Veterans Day, providing lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and carrot cake for Veterans.
• Fireside Home SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Launched special promotion to advance Compass mission to combat homelessness. Leadership celebrated Compass at 2023 Homeward Gala. Partnership involves fundraising promotions.
• Dr. Anita Souza (University of Washington)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Clinical Associate Professor at UW who won Compass's Outstanding Community Partner Award in 2024. Led partnership connecting UW Nursing students with Compass for staff support programs.
• Margot Wallen / Margot & FriendsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Seattle-based residential real estate professional who organizes community events at Cascade Women's Program, including garden improvements and hope-building activities for residents.
• Armando Mejia (Boeing)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Winner of Compass's inaugural Outstanding Community Partner Award in 2023 for commitment to Veterans and community support through Boeing partnership.
• Coast (Property Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty management company partners with Compass to maintain and support affordable housing buildings throughout Puget Sound. Property staff work at Compass sites alongside program/case management staff.
• King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government partner for addressing regional homelessness. Compass participates in Coordinated Entry for All (CEA) system for housing referrals.
• VA (Veterans Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA Homeless Outreach Clinic provides referrals for Veterans seeking housing. King County Veterans Program connects low-income, homeless, and at-risk Veterans to vital resources.
• Shoreline Covenant ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch partner supporting Ronald Commons through 'Giving Locally' outreach program. Annual Christmas gift cards for children ($25 each), Easter Egg Hunt sponsorship ($300), garden efforts ($500), and volunteer support.
• A Seattle ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonumental presence for Cascade Women's Program housing and Otto's Place Men's Shelter. Volunteers host activities including art, poetry, and dinner nights, plus garden restoration work.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC): Seattle nonprofit operating emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless adults; directly competes for the same clients, government contracts, and coordinated-entry referrals in King County.
• Plymouth Housing: Seattle nonprofit developing and operating permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals; overlaps directly with Compass's affordable and supportive housing portfolio in the same region.
• Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI): Puget Sound nonprofit developer and manager of affordable and homeless housing plus tiny house villages; competes in the same affordable housing and shelter space as Compass.
• Mary's Place: Seattle nonprofit providing emergency shelter and services to families experiencing homelessness, closely paralleling Compass's family programs and enhanced shelter model.
• Bellwether Housing: Seattle's largest nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager; directly comparable to Compass's affordable housing portfolio for low-income households.
• Solid Ground: Seattle nonprofit providing housing, shelter, and case management to address homelessness and poverty; overlaps with Compass's shelter and supportive services.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington: Large faith-based regional provider of shelter, housing, and social services; overlaps with Compass across homelessness and family services but within a much broader human-services portfolio.
• YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish: Regional nonprofit offering housing, shelter, and family support alongside broader social-justice programs; overlaps with Compass on housing and family services in the same territory.

Regional players

• Chief Seattle Club: Seattle nonprofit offering day services, housing, and supportive services to homeless Native people; comparable service model and coordinated-entry participation with a distinct target population.
• Seattle's Union Gospel Mission: Faith-based Seattle nonprofit providing shelter, recovery, and outreach services to homeless people; comparable mission and clientele with a different program emphasis.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZxd8gZMEF3kHFCvJxG7j7g
• Facebookfacebook.com/compasshousingalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compass-housing-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/compasshousingalliance
• Xx.com/CompassHousing

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Compass Housing Alliance