News

DESC continues to set the standard for excellence in supportive housing, winning local and national recognition for the effectiveness of its programs. This page is for press releases created by DESC, as well as external features of DESC’s work by other publications.

*Our providing a link to an article does not imply endorsement or agreement with the content.

One Year In, DESC’s ORCA Program Is Changing How Seattle Responds to the Opioid Crisis 

Posted on by beier-laura
August 27, 2026
DESC

Press Advisory — August 26, 2026 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Media Contact:
Jessica Schreindl 
Senior Communications Manager, DESC 
jschreindl@desc.org
(206) 380-2647 

SEATTLE — Almost one year after opening its doors, DESC’s Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center, in partnership with the longer-standing ORCA Patient Outreach Division (POD), is demonstrating what is possible when lifesaving opioid use disorder treatment is available when and where people need it. 

Continue reading “One Year In, DESC’s ORCA Program Is Changing How Seattle Responds to the Opioid Crisis “

DESC Responds to 2026 Point-in-Time Count Findings 

Posted on by beier-laura
June 24, 2026
DESC

Press Advisory — June 24, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Media Contact:

Jessica Schreindl 
Senior Manager of Communications 
Downtown Emergency Service Center 
jschreindl@desc.org | (206) 380-2647

DESC Responds to 2026 Point-in-Time Count Findings 

SEATTLE, Wash. — June 24, 2026 — The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) yesterday released the results of its 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, an annual snapshot of homelessness in King County. 

Continue reading “DESC Responds to 2026 Point-in-Time Count Findings “

The Urbanist Covers Birch Grove Opening and Data that Backs Housing First

Posted on by beier-laura
June 22, 2026
Left to right: DESC Executive Director Daniel Malone; Rep. Darya Farivar, 46th Legislative District; Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal; and DESC Deputy Director of Strategy Nicole Macri. Photo credit: Tosin Arasi.

The Urbanist featured DESC’s Birch Grove Grand Opening on June 16 in an article that dives into the evidence behind Housing First — including new data from King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) tying Housing First to a 27% decrease in jail bookings after one year.

Continue reading “The Urbanist Covers Birch Grove Opening and Data that Backs Housing First”

DESC Announces Grand Opening of 20th Permanent Supportive Housing Site, Birch Grove — Where Stability Takes Root 

Posted on by beier-laura
June 4, 2026
DESC

Press Advisory — June 4, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Media Contact:

Jessica Schreindl 
Senior Manager of Communications 
Downtown Emergency Service Center 
jschreindl@desc.org | (206) 380-2647

DESC Announces Grand Opening of 20th Permanent Supportive Housing Site, Birch Grove — Where Stability Takes Root 

SEATTLE, WA — DESC will celebrate the official grand opening of Birch Grove, a new permanent supportive housing community in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood, on June 16. Birch Grove represents DESC’s deepened commitment to pairing housing with robust, person-centered services. 

Continue reading “DESC Announces Grand Opening of 20th Permanent Supportive Housing Site, Birch Grove — Where Stability Takes Root “

Seattle Times Features DESC’s ORCA Center and Innovative Opioid Use Disorder Treatment 

Posted on by beier-laura
April 1, 2026

DESC client Travis Gardner calls the ORCA Center his “home away from home” 

The Seattle Times recently featured DESC’s Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center in an article about decreases in fatal fentanyl overdoses in King County and funding challenges to innovative opioid use disorder treatments. 

Continue reading “Seattle Times Features DESC’s ORCA Center and Innovative Opioid Use Disorder Treatment “