FUSION runs a transitional housing program and an emergency family shelter called the Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center in Federal Way.

Each year the nonprofit organization expands its fleet of housing, fine-tunes its programs and works to respond to the shifting needs of those experiencing temporary homelessness in the Federal Way community.

Two growing trends include families struggling with eviction debt as well as multigenerational family units, according to Executive Director David Harrison.

“We’re seeing more and more homelessness and less and less beds,” Harrison told the Mirror.

Harrison called senior homelessness a “canary in the coal mine,” saying that increased rates signal the growing challenge of securing affordable housing, especially for those on a fixed income.

Eviction debt can also be a huge challenge and make it nearly impossible to find a place to rent, even with steady income. Harrison shared that FUSION has been working with more partners to help people overcome this barrier.

FUSION’s programs are seeing fewer people whose homelessness is related to use of fentanyl as a factor, Harrison said. More common factors feature the consistent thread of simply being unable to afford or qualify for housing, whether that is due to escaping a domestic violence situation, issues with bad credit or debt, loss of a job, disability or other challenges.

“In a market where housing prices are increasing, it exposes the most vulnerable people, first, the ones that are right on the edge,” said Harrison, sharing an observation that he said aligns with research by University of Washington professor Gregg Colburn on the causes of homelessness. Colburn published the book “Homelessness is a Housing Problem” in 2022 with data journalist Clayton Aldern.

While FUSION’s programs are seeing success, Harrison said families are seeing budgets get tighter and resources go away.

“A lot of people don’t realize how close they are to homelessness,” Harrison said.

FUSION’s family shelter currently has an average stay of 78 days, and 80% of families who leave are able to exit to housing, he said. In their transitional housing program, families stay for about one year as they work to make the leap to full independence after they stabilize their resources.

Costs continue to rise for FUSION, with the cost of sheltering a family for one night being $105. Insurance rates and labor costs have increased, and operational supplies, right down to the garbage bags, have also increased in price.

To deal with these challenges, FUSION often gets creative. One more recent partnership with Amazon has been a source of relief, said Megan Anderson, marketing and outreach manager for FUSION.

FUSION receives between three and six pallets a week from nearby Amazon warehouses made up of returns, discontinued items, damaged items and overstocks. Whatever products they can’t sell are shared with community organizations like FUSION.

These pallets can contain anything, but frequently include cleaning supplies, books, clothes, car parts, toiletries, construction materials, or even party supplies and decorations. No matter what they get, they find a way to either share it with the community they serve or pay it forward to another organization.

A room at one of FUSION’s transitional housing units. File photo

More support programs for better results

To support their goals of ensuring holistic stability and well-being for the families they serve, Harrison shared updates on some added and expanded programs this year.

Their peer navigation program is one such addition and began in early 2025. It focuses on providing support to families after they leave FUSION’s programs. The state certified peer navigator follows up with families for up to six months.

This navigator can prevent returns to homelessness by helping families navigate threats to their housing stability like an unexpected car repair or job loss.

Wellness support has also been a welcome addition at the Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center, evolving into a weekly mindfulness activity offered to families at the shelter from an initial volunteer-led yoga class. The weekly event now offers activities like workshops to create vision boards, learn breathing exercises and practice mindfulness techniques for managing stress and anxiety.

“Just because you’re experiencing temporary homelessness doesn’t mean you aren’t human,” said Harrison, adding that the question FUSION is always asking itself is, “how can we help you have a fulfilled life?”

FUSION is also continuing to see positive results from their job training program TABLE (formerly FEEST) through the Poverty Bay Cafe and Bakery location. TABLE stands for “Transforming and Building Lives through Employment” and focuses on food service and overall employment skills. So far the program has seen 12 to 15 participants move on to other employment opportunities after participating.

One graduate left the family shelter, found housing, went to culinary school and is now looking forward to completing an internship at Poverty Bay Cafe and Bakery to continue developing their skills.

Even for those participants who aren’t seeking employment in the food service industry, the program can be a great way to boost resumes and help participants get back into the routine of working or build up transferable skills like customer service, Harrison explained.

How to help

When asked how best to support FUSION’s work in the community, marketing and outreach manager Megan Anderson said to “shop, donate, volunteer and spread the word,” in that order.

Funds from Poverty Bay Cafe and Bakery and the FUSION Boutique next door on South 322nd Place go toward funding FUSION programs.

One way to donate is to attend the upcoming annual summer gala. On Aug. 9, guests can participate in the silent auction, live auction, dessert dash and other activities at this year’s gala with the theme “Waves of Change.”

For those looking to get involved directly, FUSION is always looking for volunteers. Any group that has an idea of something to benefit the organization, they are welcome to reach out, Harrison said.

Right now the highest volunteer needs include people who want to work shifts at the boutique and those who can drive trucks to pick up donations.

They could also use more support with coordinating volunteers, especially from someone who has a human resources skillset to share, Harrison said.

As with many other nonprofits, FUSION has seen a slowdown of donations this year. Harrison said the consensus is that market uncertainty is causing people to be more cautious with their money.

Despite a tight budget statewide, District 30 State Sen. Claire Wilson was able to secure two grants to support FUSION’s goals of expanding their capacity to meet the community’s needs. A $1 million grant for property acquisition from the Department of Commerce will go toward a longer-term goal of expanding the Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center on Pacific Highway South. Another $250,000 grant will provide funds to hire consultants for a study on youth and young adult homelessness to assess local needs and possible solutions.

While FUSION’s leadership appreciates these grants, neither can go toward operational costs of their current programs, where their current biggest need is. Past galas have focused more on fundraising to acquire or remodel houses for their transitional housing program, but this year, operations are the focus.

“We try to do everything we can to stretch every dollar,” Anderson told the Mirror.

FUSION’s annual gala focuses on providing a fun evening while centering the important cause of helping people escape homelessness. Pictured here, guests enjoy the event at the 2024 gala. Photo by Bruce Honda

2025 gala

This year’s summer gala fundraising effort on Aug. 9 at Dumas Bay Centre will feature fun activities around the theme Waves of Change, including themed catering like an oyster bar and salmon entree. The live auction will feature a variety of offerings from a signed Taylor Swift album to several vacation and local adventure opportunities.

Signature drinks and a dessert dash crafted by new Poverty Bay Cafe manager will provide a chance for some sweet treats. Prizes can be won through a raffle or even through a fishing game sponsored by principle sponsor and longtime partner the Lennar Foundation. The event begins at 5 p.m.

Tickets and more information for the gala can be found at fusionhousing.org/gala.