Seattle-area family opens own doors to assist shelter

EVERETT, Wash. — In a threemonth period this summer, more than 2,000 messages were left on the call line for the Interfaith Family Shelter from those looking for housing.

But with only one spot available, most of the messages would go unanswered, leaving families to continue their search as rising rents threaten to evict many from their homes.

One Snohomish County family has found a way to expand the shelter’s reach by opening up their home to one family at a time experiencing homelessness. After three years of hosting families, Christa Johnson is urging others to do the same.

While working at Interfaith, Johnson saw families who had fallen into a “terrible cycle of poverty.”

Her frustration built as she watched one of the only family shelters in the county constantly being forced to turn people away. The nonprofit lacked the capacity and funds to house all the families looking for help.

Sitting in a cozy living room as sunlight streamed in from a picture window, Johnson recalled thinking about all the unused bedrooms and spaces in the county.

“What if people who have a mother-in-law unit or a daylight basement hosted families?” Johnson said. “But I knew I couldn’t ask others to do that if I haven’t done it myself.”

Enlisting her family, Johnson got to work on her big idea.

When the family purchased their current house, they envisioned a place for a second family. After they moved in, the Johnsons remodeled an existing building on their property into a studio apartment. The Edmonds-based Church of the Beloved helped raise money to build the space. In the tidy, small unit, a bunk bed lines one wall and a short hallway leads to a bathroom.

Families are vetted and placed in the home by Interfaith. The group also provides case management services.

After years of shared meals and conversation, Johnson said all the tenants have been considerate.

“I’ve had no problems at all,” she said.