Our Feature Story
Chief Seattle Club opens new supportive housing facility in North Seattle
Exterior of Sacred Medicine House facing Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA—Chief Seattle Club held an event today to celebrate the grand opening of a new five-story supportive housing facility in North Seattle’s Lake City, consisting of 120 studio units for adults experiencing homelessness.
Named Sacred Medicine House, the facility will provide residents access to a number of amenities, including a large activity room, common area kitchen, resident lounge, consult/talking rooms, clinic exam room for visiting healthcare professionals, central laundry, and landscaped outdoor courtyard. The facility is decorated with Indigenous artwork curated by Eighth Generation. The entry mural was designed by Indigenous artist Stephan Smith (Quinault and Makah).
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, King County Deputy Executive Shannon Braddock, and CVS Health representative Greg Haley made remarks during the event.
“We are grateful to all of our partners who continue to support our vision of a future where our Native community is safe, healthy, and housed,” said Derrick Belgarde (Siletz), executive director of Chief Seattle Club. “We have hit a major milestone in our efforts. With the opening of Sacred Medicine House, along with our other properties, we have the space to house more than a quarter of our relatives in King County who have been experiencing chronic homelessness.”
The Sacred Medicine House is the fourth permanent supportive housing facility opened and operated by Chief Seattle Club, totalling 339 units throughout King County. In 2022, the organization opened its ʔálʔal facility and Salmonberry Lofts in Pioneer Square. In 2023, the Club opened Goldfinch in Fremont, a 66-unit senior apartment complex that houses 55 elders.
(From left to right) Chief Seattle Club’s Board President, Annie Kirk, Executive Director, Derrick Belgarde, & former Executive Director, Colleen Echohawk.
The organization also operates two non-congregate shelters called Eagle Village and Raven Village.
“We have been able to have a major impact in housing our relatives because of the partnerships we have built with the City of Seattle, King County, and funders, such as CVS Health,” Belgarde said. “They understand what we are trying to do, which has provided opportunities that we did not have in the past. We need more of these types of partnerships, and we’ll continue to prove that there are solutions to the homelessness crisis.”
Through Raymond James Financial, CVS Health invested more than $14.3 million toward Sacred Medicine House as part of its commitment to providing access to quality, safe, and affordable housing within historically underserved communities. To date, CVS Health has invested $30.7 million to create, preserve, and renovate more than 3,200 affordable and supportive housing units across the State of Washington.
“This investment is a testament to the essential role affordable housing plays in reducing health inequities and improving health outcomes,” said Greg Haley, Chief Medicare Officer, Northwest Market at Aetna, a CVS Health company. “When individuals don’t have a safe, affordable roof over their head, they aren’t able to focus on their health. Together, with Chief Seattle Club and Raymond James, we’re providing those in need with increased access to stable, secure housing and supportive services that will help them improve their quality of life and overall well-being.”
Residents will begin moving into Sacred Medicine House on April 29.
Building Space for Indigenous Need
Jan. 28, 2022 - Chris Aadland
The Chief Seattle Club announces the completion of a nine-floor building with 80 housing units for Indigenous people who were formerly homeless, veterans, or poor.
Read more on Indian Country Today, or visit our page all about ʔálʔal.
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On September 22nd, we officially celebrated the grand opening of ʔálʔal, our very first permanent housing project! From community members to board members, we came together in person for the first time since the pandemic began, honoring the hard work that all our staff and supporters have put in to house our relatives in need. It is with great joy and respect that we work to reclaim Native space for Native people here on Coast Salish lands. Thank you all!
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