Grantee: ROOTS Young Adult Shelter
Timeframe: July 2025 – June 2027 | Amount: $200,000
- Year 1: July 2025 – June 2026 | Amount: $100,000
- Year 2: July 2026 – June 2027 | Amount: $100,000
ROOTS Young Adult Shelter is expanding on-site mental health services for young adults (ages 18–25) experiencing homelessness, with a focus on BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and youth with histories of foster care, justice involvement, and trauma. Many guests experience untreated mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, but face barriers to care such as lack of insurance, stigma, and distrust of healthcare systems.
Research shows that 75% of adults with mental illness experience symptom onset by age 25, often linked to adverse childhood experiences that contribute to homelessness. Homeless youth have higher rates of severe mental illness, substance use, and exposure to violence, while LGBTQIA+ youth experience disproportionately high rates of depression and suicide attempts. Despite the growing need, 40% of Medicaid-enrolled youth in King County receive no behavioral health services, and there are no contracted mental health or substance use providers in ROOTS’ zip code.
To address these disparities, ROOTS has partnered with Ryther, a licensed behavioral health agency, to provide low-barrier, trauma-informed mental health services on-site. A dedicated Ryther clinician offers individual therapy, walk-in counseling, group therapy, clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, eliminating barriers such as transportation, cost, and stigma.
The integration of Ryther’s clinical team into the shelter has been the program’s greatest achievement. Ryther clinicians work closely with ROOTS case managers and shelter staff through care coordination, multidisciplinary team meetings, and client consultations. This collaboration has improved continuity of care, strengthened staff capacity to respond to mental health needs, and helped guests build coping skills, emotional regulation, and stability. The partnership represents the largest expansion of ROOTS programming since case management services were introduced in 2017.
In Year 2, ROOTS will continue these core services while using PHPDA funding to strengthen internal case management capacity, including expanded support for Guest Support Specialists, who serve as the first point of contact for shelter guests and play a key role in building trust and connecting guests to services.
ABOUT OUR GRANTEE
“ROOTS Young Adult Shelter is Washington state’s largest overnight shelter specifically for young adults ages 18–25. We provide a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for up to 45 young people each night in the University District of Seattle. Our shelter is low-barrier, meaning you don’t need an ID on your first night, income, or proof of anything to stay with us. In addition to a warm meal and a safe place to sleep, guests can access case management, housing navigation, wellness supports, employment help, and connection to community resources. Our services are open to everyone ages 18-25 experiencing housing instability. “
