DESC

Last month, DESC's ORCA staff and community partners provided treatment, medical care, and ongoing support to community members in the Little Saigon neighborhood of Seattle!

Over the course of the three days, ORCA staff connected 26 people to medication for opioid use disorder treatment — including nine individuals who started monthly long-acting injectable buprenorphine!

This medication helps manage cravings, can prevent overdose, and supports long-term recovery.

Staff also referred four people to DESC’s STAR Center, a service-rich, non-congregate shelter offering comprehensive support, hot meals, showers, and community enrichment.

Thank you to the Seattle Fire Department, Harborview Medical Center, Public Health - Seattle & King County, REACH/LEAD — Evergreen Treatment Services, and everyone who made this event possible!

Learn more here: https://www.desc.org/descs-orca-team-helps-connect-people-to-opioid-treatment-during-little-saigon-outreach-event/

At DESC, we serve people who have been homeless for years, even decades.

These are our neighbors who’ve been living unsheltered while navigating mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, and other complex challenges — cycling through systems that have not met their needs.

At DESC, we know that behavioral healthcare — including mental health services, treatment for substance use disorders, and case management — is essential to helping people find safety and stability. It’s housing AND healthcare, not housing only.

Learn more: https://www.desc.org/about/who-we-serve/ 🧡

At DESC, we’ve learned that bringing healthcare to people where they’re at makes all the difference.

Our Opioid Recovery + Care Access (ORCA) Center has a Patient Outreach Division (POD) that brings life-changing medication to those dealing with substance use disorder, when and where they need it most.

Since opening in September 2025, ORCA has helped get 370+ people on medication for opioid use disorder.

One client, who after starting a monthly buprenorphine injection no longer uses opioids, called ORCA his “home away from home.”

For , we hope you’ll consider donating to DESC to help us continue this essential, innovative care:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/downtown-emergency-service-center/givebig-2026

Update on our Belmont location in Capitol Hill incoming! 🚨

Land that was planned to house a DESC permanent supportive housing location on Belmont Ave. in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle is now being leased to the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) to build Belmont Village: 32 micro shelters (commonly known as tiny homes) serving individuals and couples living unsheltered. 🏘️

Though we are disappointed that federal funding challenges affected our near-term plans to add another permanent supportive housing location to Seattle, we are happy to share that our partners in ending homelessness will be using this space to provide temporary dignified housing! ❤️

Belmont Village will feature 24/7 staffing, a security pavilion, an onsite case manager and behavioral health specialist, a community kitchen, and hygiene and laundry facilities. Six of the tiny houses and common facilities will be accessible.

DESC still intends to develop permanent supportive housing at this location, when conditions warrant. Learn more here: https://www.desc.org/belmont/

*Site plan of Belmont Village pictured courtesy of Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI).