Thanks to all who came to support our special groundbreaking ceremony at the site of our newest permanent supportive housing and comprehensive health clinic in Rainier Valley! Continue reading “Introducing a groundbreaking new housing and clinic!”
Our Impact
2017 Annual Report
Please enjoy this report of DESC’s work in 2017!
Onsite physical healthcare services increase access to care for people living with mental illness
University of Washington and King County researchers collaborated with DESC to examine the effects of bringing physical healthcare services to behavioral health clinics at DESC and Harborview Medical Center. Results included significant increases in access to physical health services for homeless people with serious mental illness.
Integrating Primary Care Into Community Mental Health Centers: Impact on Utilization and Costs of Health Care – Psychiatric Services (ahead of print, published online July 01, 2016)
Housing First eliminates homelessness and reduces psychiatric hospitalizations
Researchers from Depaul University and King County examined the effects of a DESC single-site Housing First program for people with serious psychiatric problems. Some tenants came from long-term street homelessness while others had less street homelessness due to lengthy psychiatric hospitalizaitons. Tenants showed high housing retention (90%) and a significant (44%) reductions in days hospitalized, in stark contrast to a comparison group who received “usual care” in the community.
Housing First as an effective model for community stabilization among vulnerable individuals with chronic and non-chronic homelessness histories – Journal of Community Psychology (Volume 44 | Issue 3, April, 2016)
2015 Media Stories
CHASERS, DESC’s client web/database system, has achieved certification as Electronic Health Record – DESC Press Release (July 22, 2015)
Daniel Malone Steps up to Lead DESC – DESC Press Release (June 30, 2015)
Giving Alcoholics A Home Helps Them Manage Their Addiction – KPLU Radio 88.5 (June 4, 2015)
Stop the Counterproductive Conversation About Homelessness – UWKC Blog, May 13, 2015
Mayor Murray announces 100-bed homeless shelter to open in a City-owned property – Seattle.gov (April 17, 2015)
1811 Eastlake: Where Formerly Homeless Alcoholics are Allowed to Drink – KUOW.org News (March 5, 2015)
After 10-Year Plan, Why Does Seattle Have More Homeless Than Ever – KUOW.org News (March 3, 2015)