Congregations for the Homeless
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDING SHELTER, HOUSING, FOOD, AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON THE EAST SIDE OF KING COUNTY, WA.
- Income
- $6.8 million
- Spending
- $7.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -19.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 68%
- Employees
- 70
- Volunteers
- 213
- Highest pay
- $202,387, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 58% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $4.0 million spent. SHELTER: PORCHLIGHT'S 24/7 EMERGENCY MEN'S SHELTER OFFERS A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR FOR MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. AS THE ONLY DEDICATED SHELTER FOR MEN IN EAST KING COUNTY, THE EMS PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND SECURE STABLE INCOME AND HOUSING. EACH DAY, THE EMS SERVES OVER 100 MEN, UP TO 125 DURING SEVERE WEATHER, AND MORE THAN 340 MEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. MEN SERVED BY PORCHLIGHT FACE DEEPLY INTERSECTING BARRIERS: A SEVERE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, RISING RENTS, LIMITED ACCESS TO TIMELY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT, AND SYSTEMIC RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. MANY OF THESE MEN WORK FULL-TIME JOBS, YET STILL CANNOT AFFORD HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITHOUT A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO REST AND ACCESS RESOURCES, THE DAILY STRUGGLE FOR STABILITY CAN FEEL INSURMOUNTABLE. AT PORCHLIGHT, WE BELIEVE THAT SHELTER IS MORE THAN A BED. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE DIGNITY AND PROVIDE NEEDED TOOLS TO BUILD A MORE STABLE FUTURE. PORCHLIGHT HOTEL PROGRAM WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE EMS; ITS GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT FOR THE MOST MEDICALLY FRAGILE MEN WHO SEEK SHELTER WITH US. IT CAME ONLINE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND CONTINUED UNTIL THE END OF 2024. PORCHLIGHT RENTED ROOMS WITHIN AN EASTGATE AREA HOTEL, WHICH SERVED UP TO 20 MEN AT A TIME. MEN STAYING WITH US ALSO MUST FOLLOW SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS THAT KEPT THE HOTEL OWNER SATISFIED WITH OUR PROGRAM. CLIENTS IN THE HOTEL WERE PROVIDED MEALS AND HAD ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING NAVIGATION AND CASE MANAGEMENT. PORCHLIGHT'S ROTATING SHELTER (RS) IS A UNIQUE, RECOVERY-INFORMED OVERNIGHT SHELTER THAT SERVES UP TO 25 ADULT MEN EACH NIGHT WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN EAST KING COUNTY. AS A SAFE, RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT, RS IS A MEDIUM BARRIER BEHAVIOR-BASED PROGRAM AND SHELTERS CLIENTS WHO ARE HOUSING FOCUSED. IT IS OUR FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM AS IT IS THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM AT PORCHLIGHT WHEN WE STARTED IN 1993 (THEN CALLED CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS). OPERATING FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 7:30 A.M., THE RS OFFERS MORE THAN A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP-IT PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE, SOBER COMMUNITY WHERE MEN CAN ACCESS CASE MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES, AND THE STABILITY NEEDED TO WORK TOWARD PERMANENT HOUSING. AS THE ONLY RECOVERY-FOCUSED SHELTER OF ITS KIND IN THE REGION, THE RS PROVIDES A TRUSTED, CLEAN, AND SOBER ENVIRONMENT WHERE GUESTS ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND SUPPORTED THROUGH BOTH PROGRESS AND SETBACKS. PORCHLIGHT'S OUTREACH PROGRAM PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN ENGAGING WITH MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THROUGHOUT EAST KING COUNTY. FOR MANY OF OUR SHELTER GUESTS, OUTREACH IS THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT AND THE INTRODUCTION TO PORCHLIGHT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY STAFF, POLICE, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, OUR OUTREACH COORDINATOR PROACTIVELY VISITS PUBLIC SPACES - PARKS, LIBRARIES, GREENBELTS, BUS STOPS, AND MORE-TO MEET MEN WHERE THEY ARE, BUILD TRUST, AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, OUR OUTREACH COORDINATOR IS THE FACE OF OUR I & R SERVICES (INFORMATION AND REFERRAL) - BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PEOPLE IN NEED AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM IN EAST KING COUNTY. SHELTER: PORCHLIGHT'S 24/7 EMERGENCY MEN'S SHELTER OFFERS A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR FOR MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. AS THE ONLY DEDICATED SHELTER FOR MEN IN EAST KING COUNTY, THE EMS PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND SECURE STABLE INCOME AND HOUSING. EACH DAY, THE EMS SERVES OVER 100 MEN, UP TO 125 DURING SEVERE WEATHER, AND MORE THAN 340 MEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. MEN SERVED BY PORCHLIGHT FACE DEEPLY INTERSECTING BARRIERS: A SEVERE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, RISING RENTS, LIMITED ACCESS TO TIMELY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT, AND SYSTEMIC RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. MANY OF THESE MEN WORK FULL-TIME JOBS, YET STILL CANNOT AFFORD HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITHOUT A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO REST AND ACCESS RESOURCES, THE DAILY STRUGGLE FOR STABILITY CAN FEEL INSURMOUNTABLE. AT PORCHLIGHT, WE BELIEVE THAT SHELTER IS MORE THAN A BED. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE DIGNITY AND PROVIDE NEEDED TOOLS TO BUILD A MORE STABLE FUTURE. PORCHLIGHT HOTEL PROGRAM WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE EMS; ITS GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT FOR THE MOST MEDICALLY FRAGILE MEN WHO SEEK SHELTER WITH US. IT CAME ONLINE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND CONTINUED UNTIL THE END OF 2024. PORCHLIGHT RENTED ROOMS WITHIN AN EASTGATE AREA HOTEL, WHICH SERVED UP TO 20 MEN AT A TIME. MEN STAYING WITH US ALSO MUST FOLLOW SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS THAT KEPT THE HOTEL OWNER SATISFIED WITH OUR PROGRAM. CLIENTS IN THE HOTEL WERE PROVIDED MEALS AND HAD ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING NAVIGATION AND CASE MANAGEMENT. PORCHLIGHT'S ROTATING SHELTER (RS) IS A UNIQUE, RECOVERY-INFORMED OVERNIGHT SHELTER THAT SERVES UP TO 25 ADULT MEN EACH NIGHT WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN EAST KING COUNTY. AS A SAFE, RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT, RS IS A MEDIUM BARRIER BEHAVIOR-BASED PROGRAM AND SHELTERS CLIENTS WHO ARE HOUSING FOCUSED. IT IS OUR FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM AS IT IS THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM AT PORCHLIGHT WHEN WE STARTED IN 1993 (THEN CALLED CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS). OPERATING FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 7:30 A.M., THE RS OFFERS MORE THAN A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP-IT PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE, SOBER COMMUNITY WHERE MEN CAN ACCESS CASE MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES, AND THE STABILITY NEEDED TO WORK TOWARD PERMANENT HOUSING. AS THE ONLY RECOVERY-FOCUSED SHELTER OF ITS KIND IN THE REGION, THE RS PROVIDES A TRUSTED, CLEAN, AND SOBER ENVIRONMENT WHERE GUESTS ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND SUPPORTED THROUGH BOTH PROGRESS AND SETBACKS. PORCHLIGHT'S OUTREACH PROGRAM PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN ENGAGING WITH MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THROUGHOUT EAST KING COUNTY. FOR MANY OF OUR SHELTER GUESTS, OUTR
- $1.4 million spent. HOUSING: PORCHLIGHT'S HOUSING PROGRAM OFFERS 91 UNITS OF PERMANENT HOUSING WITH SUPPORTS FOR SINGLE ADULT MEN (18 YEARS AND OLDER) TRANSITIONING FROM HOMELESSNESS TO STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE. SUPPORTED BY IN-HOUSE, COMPREHENSIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES, OUR HOUSING PROGRAM EMPOWERS MEN TO OVERCOME LONG-STANDING BARRIERS AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES IN COMMUNITY. IN 2024, 98% OF PARTICIPANTS EITHER REMAINED STABLY HOUSED FOR TWO YEARS OR MORE OR SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED TO OTHER PERMANENT HOUSING, REFLECTING ONE OF THE STRONGEST SUCCESS RATES IN THE REGION.
- $1.2 million spent. PROGRAM SUPPORT: PORCHLIGHT'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM PROVIDES SAME-DAY, ON-SITE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES TO MEN IN OUR EMERGENCY MEN'S SHELTER (EMS), ROTATING SHELTER, AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM USES A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY MODEL WHICH PROVIDES CLOSELY COORDINATED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT AND HOUSING NAVIGATION, SOCIAL WORK, NURSING, NURSE PRACTITIONER, AND SUBSTANCE USE CARE. PORCHLIGHT'S CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDE PERSONALIZED, STRENGTHS-BASED SUPPORT TO MEN NAVIGATING THE COMPLEX PATH OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. AVAILABLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS ACROSS OUR PROGRAMS, CASE MANAGEMENT IS CENTRAL TO HELPING INDIVIDUALS STABILIZE, BUILD TRUST, AND MOVE TOWARD LONG-TERM HOUSING, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING. PORCHLIGHT'S HOUSING NAVIGATION PROGRAM PROVIDES TARGETED, HOUSING-FOCUSED CASE MANAGEMENT AND MOVE-IN ASSISTANCE FOR ADULT MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN EAST KING COUNTY. OUR GOAL IS TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS AND HELP EACH MAN TAKE CLEAR, SUPPORTED STEPS TOWARD STABLE, PERMANENT HOUSING. PORCHLIGHT'S EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, FOR MANY OF THE MEN WE SERVE, HOMELESSNESS IS CLOSELY LINKED TO UNEMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT. WITHOUT STABLE INCOME, SECURING AND MAINTAINING HOUSING ON THE EASTSIDE CAN FEEL IMPOSSIBLE. JOB HUNTING WHILE LIVING IN A SHELTER-OR WITHOUT SHELTER AT ALL-BRINGS ADDED CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, JOB-SEARCH SKILLS, OR EMPLOYER CONNECTIONS. WHILE SOME GUESTS ARE ALREADY EMPLOYED AND USE THE SHELTER AS A TEMPORARY BRIDGE WHILE SAVING FOR HOUSING, OTHERS NEED MORE HANDS-ON SUPPORT TO NAVIGATE JOB READINESS AND PLACEMENT. PORCHLIGHT'S EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES MEET THIS NEED WITH PERSONALIZED, ONE-ON-ONE GUIDANCE. PROGRAM SUPPORT: PORCHLIGHT'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM PROVIDES SAME-DAY, ON-SITE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES TO MEN IN OUR EMERGENCY MEN'S SHELTER (EMS), ROTATING SHELTER, AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM USES A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY MODEL WHICH PROVIDES CLOSELY COORDINATED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT AND HOUSING NAVIGATION, SOCIAL WORK, NURSING, NURSE PRACTITIONER, AND SUBSTANCE USE CARE. PORCHLIGHT'S CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDE PERSONALIZED, STRENGTHS-BASED SUPPORT TO MEN NAVIGATING THE COMPLEX PATH OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. AVAILABLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS ACROSS OUR PROGRAMS, CASE MANAGEMENT IS CENTRAL TO HELPING INDIVIDUALS STABILIZE, BUILD TRUST, AND MOVE TOWARD LONG-TERM HOUSING, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING. PORCHLIGHT'S HOUSING NAVIGATION PROGRAM PROVIDES TARGETED, HOUSING-FOCUSED CASE MANAGEMENT AND MOVE-IN ASSISTANCE FOR ADULT MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN EAST KING COUNTY. OUR GOAL IS TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS AND HELP EACH MAN TAKE CLEAR, SUPPORTED STEPS TOWARD STABLE, PERMANENT HOUSING. PORCHLIGHT'S EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, FOR MANY OF THE MEN WE SERVE, HOMELESSNESS IS CLOSELY LINKED TO UNEMPLOYMENT OR UNDEREMPLOYMENT. WITHOUT STABLE INCOME, SECURING AND MAINTAINING HOUSING ON THE EASTSIDE CAN FEEL IMPOSSIBLE. JOB HUNTING WHILE LIVING IN A SHELTER-OR WITHOUT SHELTER AT ALL-BRINGS ADDED CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, JOB-SEARCH SKILLS, OR EMPLOYER CONNECTIONS. WHILE SOME GUESTS ARE ALREADY EMPLOYED AND USE THE SHELTER AS A TEMPORARY BRIDGE WHILE SAVING FOR HOUSING, OTHERS NEED MORE HANDS-ON SUPPORT TO NAVIGATE JOB READINESS AND PLACEMENT. PORCHLIGHT'S EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES MEET THIS NEED WITH PERSONALIZED, ONE-ON-ONE GUIDANCE.
- THE HOTEL PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED AS A RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND CONCLUDED IN DECEMBER 2024. THE PROGRAM ENDED DUE TO THE SALE OF THE HOTEL FACILITY USED TO HOUSE CLIENTS AND THE PLANNED EXPIRATION OF PROGRAM FUNDING.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.