There is some worth in marking the sacrifice of veterans past and remembering the history of this nation’s wars and service. But don’t look past today and the people who live around us. In January 2011, we wrote about a plan to transform a former daycare at 13th and Spring into a transitional housing facility to serve veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today, Michael’s Place provides 18 beds and services to help veterans struggling with finding a home and making their way in life after serving in the armed forces.

Michael’s Place offers 18 beds of transitional housing for veterans experiencing homelessness.  The program serves men 18 and older who are eligible for Grant Per Diem transitional housing through the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System (VA Hospital) Community Housing & Outreach Services Program.  Michael’s place offers onsite support to assist veterans in finding a permanent place to call home. 

The program is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Veterans stay in either a private or shared room in a large house with a common kitchen, living, dining and bathrooms.  Residents pay a portion of their income in rent and are also required to save money. 

The facility is operated by Catholic Community Services and supported through giving and a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You can read more about Michael’s Place here. And, if you’d like to help, learn about donating here. CCS says an estimated 600,000 veterans currently live in the state.