A DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Community in Burien, WA
Blooming in New Soil: A Year of Growth in Burien
In its first year, Bloomside — DESC’s supportive housing site in Burien, WA — has grown into more than just a building. It’s become a vibrant, evolving community. It’s shaped not only by its 95 residents but by the culture of care they’ve built together. From Sunday brunches and book exchanges to resident-led support groups, Bloomside has grown into a place of connection and mutual support.
The journey hasn’t been without challenges. But through compassion, consistency, and the foundation of Permanent Supportive Housing, residents have nurtured a space where leadership and community flourish. As one staff member put it, “What works in Seattle doesn’t always work here. But Bloomside is showing that something different — and maybe even better — can.”
Dean: Finding Stability After Homelessness
Dean, a lifelong Burien resident, was among Bloomside’s first tenants after experiencing homelessness for over three years. He has deep roots here — his parents were local educators and food bank volunteers. When he first moved in, Dean’s words struck a chord:
“Sometimes I’d walk up to a crosswalk and not know which button to push. I was so tired. Now, I have a place to go — and a purpose.”
One year later, Dean’s transformation is visible. He appears healthier, calmer, and more confident, with a steady voice and a deep sense of gratitude. His progress reflects more than just housing — it shows the power of stability, trust, and renewed self-worth.
Today, Dean serves as a peer-staff liaison, helping fellow residents navigate services and communication with staff. He’s also working to launch life skills workshops, offering guidance on everyday tasks like checking mail or managing keys — things that can feel overwhelming after years without stable housing.
Dean has established routines, schedules his own appointments, and now mentors newer residents.
“If I can help someone settle in faster than I did, that’s a win,” Dean said.
Still, he’s quick to remind others that the transition isn’t easy.
“This is tough. People don’t always understand — but I do. And I want others to know it does get better.”
Charlie: Creating Community Through Recovery
Charlie has called Burien home since childhood, which made experiencing homelessness in his hometown especially painful. But his story is also one of resilience.
Two and a half years ago, Charlie lost his longtime partner, Kathy, after finding her unresponsive in their shared apartment. Despite his efforts to perform CPR with guidance from 911, she could not be revived. Her Section 8 housing voucher wasn’t transferable, and within days, Charlie lost his home, their car, and the life they’d built over 15 years. In the depths of grief, he made a life-changing decision — he quit drinking and entered recovery.
“I never picked up another drink after that,” Charlie said. “I lost everything, but drinking wouldn’t bring her back. Helping others — that’s what calms my soul.”
After completing a year-long recovery program, Charlie moved into Bloomside. While he hadn’t expected to see so many neighbors struggling with untreated mental health conditions, he soon embraced a new purpose: to offer support to others in need.
“Helping others calms my internal storm,” he said. “It creates community. If I can reach even one person, it’s worth it.”
Charlie now leads a weekly resident-run recovery group and volunteers at local shelters. He attends his own recovery meetings, cares for the building’s grounds, and quietly mentors others through his example.
“People here know I’ve been through it,” he said. “That gives them hope.”
Charlie recalls a moment when another resident joined him in picking up trash outside. When Charlie asked why, the man replied, “If you can do it, I can do it.”
Moments like this remind Charlie of why he keeps going. Through grief, recovery, and daily challenges, he remains committed to his recovery and to helping others.
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “You don’t become homeless overnight, and you don’t recover overnight either. But with help, you can get there.”
Looking Ahead
Bloomside hasn’t solved homelessness in Burien — no single building can. But, it has done something incredibly important: it’s provided a stable place to start again.
For longtime Burien residents like Dean and Charlie — people who are often unseen and misunderstood — Bloomside offers more than housing. It’s a space to heal, reconnect, and contribute. Not perfectly, not without struggle, but with purpose.
What has taken root in Burien is trust; slowly built, tested daily, and held together by those who keep showing up. As Bloomside enters its second year, the commitment remains the same: to keep making space for people to grow and for the Burien community to heal.
Learn more about Bloomside here.