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King County Executive Dow Constantine and Minority Veterans of America celebrated the opening of Q'mmunity House yesterday, the first transitional home in the country for LGBTQ+ veterans. Q'mmunity House will provide on-site holistic case management, connections to the veteran-serving community, and a safe, affirming, and supportive home for LGBTQ+ veterans experiencing homelessness in King County.

The program fosters long-term stability and community connection by addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ veterans who often experience higher rates of homelessness, discrimination, and other obstacles when accessing critical resources.

"This new, first-in-the-nation transitional housing for LGBTQ+ veterans will provide a historically underserved population with access to temporary housing and on-site support services," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "We are grateful to partner with Minority Veterans of America to fill a critical gap in services for those who have served our nation. This program ensures LGBTQ+ veterans have a safe place to build long-term stability and community here in King County."

Minority Veterans of America, MVA, a non-profit organization designed to create belonging and advance equity and justice for underrepresented veterans, including BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, and religious minority veterans, renovated and will operate Q’mmunity House.

“We are filled with immense pride as we celebrate the realization of a long-held dream — Q'mmunity House. This milestone represents years of dedication and hard work to create a refuge for LGBTQ+ veterans who have too often been left behind and experienced discrimination and stigma when accessing essential services," said Lindsay Church (they/them), Executive Director of Minority Veterans of America. "At a time when LGBTQ+ veterans, service members, and their families face growing battles over healthcare and basic rights, this space represents hope, healing, and community. Our goal is not only to provide shelter but to create a model for how we can build a brighter and more equitable future, where every veteran has the support, dignity, and belonging they deserve.”  

Q'mmunity House, funded by the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, VSHSL, marks a significant milestone and investment in the fight to address the critical need for inclusive, safe, and culturally informed housing for LGBTQ+ veterans and their families. The home includes five single occupancy rooms, two of which are fully accessible.

MVA is partnering with King County on two other investments funded through VSHSL. The organization will conduct outreach across King County to connect veterans, current service members, and their respective families with resources and provide training for the veteran-serving community to create a suite of programs working toward inclusion for LGBTQ+ veterans.

“This first-in-the-nation transitional housing dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ veterans is a chance to live up to its namesake, Q’mmunity. It will create a space to foster the relationships and networks needed to set residents up for success through on-site services and holistic case management. It ensures residents have a safe and inclusive place that recognizes their identities as well as their service,” said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. “This new housing, funded through the Veteran, Seniors, and Human Services Levy is an important step towards ensuring no veteran in King County is unhoused and is a major landmark in our efforts to address overall homelessness in the region. As Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I know that housing is healthcare and I’m committed to bringing more affordable housing online for all of our communities.”

"Until now, when an unsheltered veteran identifying as LGBTQ+ sought shelter at King County Veterans Program, we lacked culturally informed housing options tailored to meet their unique needs. This revealed a critical gap in our system that needed to be addressed to ensure all veterans have access to safe and appropriate housing,” said Megan Stanley, King County Veterans Administrator. “KCVP is deeply committed to holistically serving all veterans in King County. That's why we are proud to partner with Minority Veterans of America to open King County's — and the nation's — first transitional housing specifically designed for LGBTQ+ veterans."

King County Veterans Program operates within the King County Department of Community and Human Services and convenes regional partners at its Northgate and Tukwila offices. The program delivers equitable opportunities for empowering veterans, current servicemembers, and their families to achieve their greatest potential, by focusing on removing barriers and providing financial, housing, employment, behavioral health, wellness, and other supportive services.  

MVA expects to welcome veterans into Q'mmunity House in mid-November. Veterans interested in Q'mmunity House can learn more here.

Veterans in need of housing or other services can contact the King County Veterans Program by calling 206-263-8387 or visiting the Tukwila or Northgate offices.