Northaven Senior Housing

Mission: Northaven provides not-for-profit affordable housing, compassionate care, and community services to improve the quality of life for older adults. Values: We are inspired by the example of our founders who, moved by deep faith, mortgaged their homes to realize a vision to provide a dignified and loving home for our community’s elders. We believe in the principles exemplified by our Olympic View Community Church of the Brethren founders which are:  Compassion -- Caring for people with passion;  Comfort -- Coming alongside to lend safety, security and peace;  Hospitality -- Providing a gracious and welcoming place for people along their journey;  Justice -- Advocating for quality housing and care without regard for income or social status; and  Generosity -- Sharing whatever we have as an act of faith and an expression of hope. Our Story Northaven was built in 1972 out of the vision of a group of families who belonged to Olympic View Community Church of the Brethren. They mortgaged their homes to secure a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loan. Northaven opened in 1972 with 198 apartments. In 1992 40 assisted living units were added so we could provide yet another level of compassionate care for our residents. Though founded by families who all went to the same church Northaven has always been an independent community not related to the church. Our founders valued compassion, comfort, hospitality, justice and generosity. Their vision and their values inspire us still and live on in Northaven's continued commitment to quality affordable housing and quality services for some of our most vulnerable seniors.

What We Do Northaven provides affordable housing to low income seniors. Most of our residents have very limited financial resources. Many of our seniors live on fixed incomes and their resources are sometimes exhausted by medical care, especially as they live longer. For many we are their last hope for housing as they age. We stand between them and homelessness. We are committed to providing them safe housing in an environment that is dignified and gracious. We are committed to providing the highest quality services and care in both our Independent Living and Assisted Living communities. We treat everyone with the same grace and dignity we would want for our own parents. Housing is a fundamental right but, with the rapidly rising cost of housing in Seattle and King County, it is a necessity many seniors can no longer afford. Based on King County guidelines 18.5% of our independent living residents are low income, 39.5% are very low income and 38.5% are extremely low income. A very high percentage of seniors living in low-income housing have complex medical issues as well. According to Aging and Disability Services of King County's Aging in King County (2015) 78% of seniors have one or more chronic conditions, 38% have a disability, 11% lack sufficient food. Providing supportive services to our independent living residents helps them live independently longer, keeps them engaged in the community and lowers the frequency of 911 calls, ER visits and hospital stays. It allows them to return home more quickly when they do require a hospital admission. All of this saves millions of dollars in health care costs. Our supportive services include nutrition programs, exercise classes and individualized fitness programs, brain fitness activities as well as social programs, trips and opportunities to engage around community events. When low income seniors do need assisted living there are almost no options for them. Northaven is proud of our tradition of accepting people whose resources are so limited they are not accepted in other senior communities. Over 50% of our assisted living residents are Medicaid dependent which means they have less than $2000 in total assets. Our assisted living residents enjoy access to the same broad array of classes and activities as our independent living residents receive. Most are tailored to meet their more vulnerable health status. In addition they receive many more supportive services designed to assist them with daily life as well as nursing care and co-ordination with other health care providers. Without Northaven most of these people would end up in far more costly and restrictive nursing homes. We partner with Providence Health and Services' PACE program, Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Van, Elderwise, Taproot Theatre and others to bring supportive and life enriching services to our residents. We have an Independent Living Community (196 apartments/studios) and Assisted Living Community (40 studios) on a shared campus in the Northgate neighborhood. For over 40 years Northaven Senior Housing & Assisted Living has been regarded as one of the Pacific Northwest's outstanding non-profit low-income senior housing communities. According to King County's "Quiet Crisis" Report (2009), "... a demographic tidal wave is about to hit King County. As the post-World War II baby boom generation ages, the population of seniors here will grow dramatically. By 2025, their numbers will double to represent 23 percent of King County's total population. And, those living in poverty will more than double." Northaven is one of the only senior housing organizations in King County trying to address the needs of this expanding population. A recent UN report placed the United States 8th behind other developed countries in ranking the quality of care we provide our seniors. We at Northaven believe we can do better and believe high quality care and stimulating living conditions should also be available to low and moderate income seniors. Our residents have had careers as nurses, engineers, teachers, clerks, homemakers and a host of other professions. Their average age is 90. They worked hard, saved their money but have simply out lived their resources. Northaven's services are available to people 62 and older, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender. Independent living residents pay no more than 30% of their annual income on rent, up to Northaven's below market rate. Northaven's Assisted Living is unique in that it accepts people who have outlived their financial resources and are Medicaid dependent even before they move in. Northaven's staff longevity is an uncommon 9+ year average with many here 12 years or more. Our staff longevity is unique among similar organizations, as reflected by Carol Comer, Marketing Director of With a Little Help, a local senior services agency, "I've always been so impressed with Northaven's wonderful staff and of their extremely low turnover. So many places I work with, the staff members change on nearly an annual basis. At Northaven, I've worked for years with the same quality people. It really is a great place!" Our effectiveness as well as the growing need is reflected through our current consistently high occupancy rates (100%) and waiting lists, content residents and families, and respect from physicians and social service agencies in our community. Barbara recently wrote, "We are so grateful to have our dad enjoying such a high quality of living and care. When he needed surgery and we couldn't be there because of my husband's own surgery you stepped in to help. We truly appreciated the extra care." And another daughter wrote, "Over the past 15 months that our parents have been at Northaven Assisted Living we have immensely valued the dignified, engaged, and supportive care that happens each and every day here--day in and day out. Together you all make a village of helping hands and hearts and your collective love and caring have had such a positive impact not only for our parents, but for us. We leave you all so very grateful for everything you each have done to have made the time here so memorable and helpful. We will carry your accumulated kindnesses with us always. You are all miracle workers!"