Our Mission Partnering with men and the community to create a path from homelessness to stability
Our Vision End homelessness on the Eastside
The Need Eastside shelters are consistently full, outreach teams are engaging new faces weekly, and behavioral health referrals continue to climb. The convergence of economic pressure, housing scarcity, and migration from urban centers has made clear that this is no longer a city-specific problem. It’s a regional crisis requiring shared solutions.
History PorchLight was founded in 1993 as Congregations for the Homeless, an interfaith response to the growing number of men sleeping outdoors in East King County. The original program was rooted in community partnership with congregations and remains so today. Over the decades, that foundation allowed PorchLight to evolve into a multifaceted organization, adding permanent supportive housing, behavioral health, and case management.
Our Timeline
Created as an agency of the Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council, Congregations for the Homeless (CFH).
Men’s shelter first opened its doors in 1993.
Founded by EISCC on the recommendation of the task force on homelessness on the Eastside called the Eastside Coalition for the Homeless.
More than 30 congregations, agencies and city and private representatives served on the task force.
The Rotating Shelter was created from this effort, providing a safe and hospitable place for up to 25 single men to sleep and have a meal so they could save enough to rent a place of their own.
In 2005, CFH added a comprehensive case management and life skills coaching program, expanding our mission to that of helping men successfully move from experiencing homelessness to permanent housing.
Men are partnered one-on-one with a professional or trained life skills coach to help them develop a plan and goals that lead to increased financial, physical, and emotional stability.
Added subsidized housing to the programs we offer.
To date, over 175 men have been handed a key to their own home and over 115 of those men have graduated to self-sustained permanent housing, while 90 clients remain in CFH homes.
The Eastside Winter Shelter (EWS) was opened to meet the winter conditions that endanger the lives of homeless men in our community.
The EWS was intended to be a life-saving overnight shelter that connected clients to the resources they needed to move toward stability.
First daytime resource on the Eastside for men who are without meals, showers, laundry facilities, computers, clothing, bus tickets, and hygiene products. The Day Center provides opportunity for staff to connect men experiencing homelessness with additional resources.
Outreach Program Started
Dedicated staff member working in partnership to connect with unhoused neighbors and provide resources.
On and Up Housing Program provides permanent, affordable housing with light supports. This program serves men experiencing homelessness who need more time in their current employment to be ready for market-rate housing or to build up a solid reference and rental payment history.
Navigation Program
Provides assistance to find housing through customized staff support to navigate an incredibly complex service and housing system, coupled with one-time direct financial assistance as needed to remove housing access barriers.
Located in downtown Bellevue, staff manages low-barrier shelter round the clock for men ages 18 and above.
After nearly a decade of planning, a location is secured for permanent location for the men’s shelter on the Eastside. Capital campaign to fund new construction.
After nearly a decade of planning, a location is secured for the men’s shelter’s permanent home and commemorated with a ceremonial groundbreaking.
May – Moved into new building on Eastgate Way
With the support of many partners to see our building complete, our staff seamlessly moves our clients to the new location.
June – Expanded services to include Behavioral Health
Thanks to a generous private donation, a full Behavioral Health team is added to our services.
September – Rebranded as PorchLight
