The converted Extended Stay America hotel in Federal Way is now officially open for permanent supportive housing with its new name, Booker House.

At least 14 recently unhoused community members are already finding stability and support after moving in.

While the first residents moved in back in December, the ribbon cutting and celebration of the location’s opening took place on Jan. 28.

This celebration included recognition of the housing location’s namesake, Harold G. Booker, including a speech by his son Harold Booker II and a birthday surprise for his sister, Vivian Lee, who is also a leader in the community with decades of community service and turned 88 years old the day of the ribbon cutting.

The Booker House is the 15th Health through Housing location to open across seven cities in King County and provides 86 units of housing managed by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS).

The housing is designed for adults exiting chronic homelessness and offers “safe, stable housing paired with individualized supportive services — without time limits — so residents can build lasting stability and community,” as the ULMS describes on their website.

Harold Booker II speaks about the legacy of his father and family for which the permanent supportive housing location is named. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror Harold Booker II speaks about the legacy of his father and family for which the permanent supportive housing location is named. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

“There is so much fear and despair out in our communities right now. Every time people turn on their televisions, they scroll through their social media channels, they look outside in the streets of their cities. … They see the most vulnerable among us under attack,” King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said, adding that despite this, “there is also an opportunity for us to make progress for those who need us most, and that’s what you all have done right here today.”

Health through Housing employs a housing-first model, which has been shown to be effective for those who have experienced long-term homelessness, especially those with persistent physical or mental health challenges.

So far, Zahilay shared that Health through Housing programs have seen 33% fewer inpatient hospital days and 17% fewer emergency department visits, and 95% of permanent supportive housing residents maintain housing or move to another permanent supportive housing establishment.

King County announced the purchase of the Extended Stay America at 1400 S. 320th St. in 2021. Aside from using the location to temporarily house Afghan refugees , the county and the ULMS have been working through permitting, procurement and construction processes in order to be in compliance and set the building up for success.

The house is named after Harold G. Booker, whose community service, leadership and activism has left a lasting impact on the local community. He lived in Federal Way for decades, where he raised his family.

When he was first approached with the possibility of having the supportive housing location named after his father, Harold Booker II said before accepting, he and his family members first needed to understand if the location would align with his father and family’s legacy.

Federal Way council members, staff, community members, Booker family members and the King County Executive join to celebrate the opening of Booker House. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

“My father Harold fought for fairness, equitability and housing his entire life. He believed everyone deserved dignity, health and opportunity. He also believed that security in housing was foundational in that journey. Booker House carries his legacy forward by bringing together partners to create a place of stability, caring and hope for people beginning to rebuild their lives,” Harold Booker II said.

In addition to many other areas of impact, the late Mr. Booker was the longest serving commissioner in the history of the King County Housing Authority at 35 years.

During that time, he contributed to the “turn-key” method of developing new housing for low-income citizens and greatly expanded the stock of public housing. He started the first Housing Authority Newspaper, the first Housing Authority Tenant Organization, the community services department of the Housing Authority, the first leased housing program for King County and more.

Harold Booker II told the Mirror that the ULMS and the county put in the effort to build a relationship and invite the Booker family to contribute their thoughts and feedback, making the naming of the building more than simply a historic nod, but instead a living legacy.

Booker said it has been “a wonderful partnership,” and among many other notes, he had given feedback about the importance of having art and personality in areas like the common room to make it feel like a welcoming environment.

Amenities and features of the Booker House include 24/7 on-site staffing and controlled access to support safety and security. The site contains fully furnished, climate-controlled private units designed for comfort and privacy, with in-unit stove, refrigerator, and microwave for independent living, queen-sized beds in every unit, as well as private bathrooms with full-sized bathtubs and showers.

The Booker House is one of 15 permanent supportive housing locations in King County that combine low-barrier housing access with a variety of supports and services. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

The ULMS will serve a community dinner to the residents every Sunday to invite them to spend time together.

Voluntary supportive services offered on-site include case management and on-site programming tailored to individual goals and needs, connections to behavioral health services and healthcare, food security support and essential life-skills coaching, financial empowerment classes, workforce development, education, and employment supports (including job readiness, computer literacy, and assistance securing and sustaining employment). There is also transportation support through King County Metro and Hopelink (including ORCA cards, a program van, and trip navigation assistance), according to ULMS.

Michelle Merriweather, president and CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS), celebrates the accomplishment of opening Booker House and the journey it took to get there. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror