St. Stephen Housing Association (SSHA) began in 1989 when parishioners at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic parish chose to respond to the growing number of families experiencing homelessness in their community. What grew from this desire to help these families became an independent non-profit 501(c)3 organization. SSHA was formed with an all-volunteer Board of Directors, headed by a President and a Vice-President. SSHA leased nine three-bedroom houses from the King County Housing Authority at Nike Manor, a former military site in Kent. In 2001, we expanded by purchasing a 12-unit townhouse apartment complex in Auburn with funding provided through grants from state, county and local municipalities. We currently have 20 transitional housing units and one unit for an on-site manager.
Beginning in 2020, we partnered with King County as a part of the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program, providing desperately needed assistance to households facing eviction. Over the next 3 years, we assisted over 2000 households with rent assistance to stay in their homes.
As the federal assistance program wound down in 2023, we established a rental assistance program for households in South King County. We continue to serve these households today.
Our History
St. Stephen Housing Association (SSHA) began in 1989 when parishioners at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic parish chose to respond to the growing number of families experiencing homelessness in their community. What grew from this desire to help these families became an independent non-profit 501(c)3 organization. SSHA was formed with an all-volunteer Board of Directors, headed by a President and a Vice-President.
SSHA leased nine three-bedroom houses from the King County Housing Authority at Nike Manor, a former military site in Kent. In 2001, we expanded by purchasing a 12-unit townhouse apartment complex in Auburn with funding provided through grants from state, county and local municipalities. We currently have 20 transitional housing units and one unit for an on-site manager.
Beginning in 2020, we partnered with King County as a part of the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program, providing desperately needed assistance to households facing eviction. Over the next 3 years, we assisted over 2000 households with rent assistance to stay in their homes.
As the federal assistance program wound down in 2023, we established a rental assistance program for households in South King County. We continue to serve these households today.