This week, Plymouth Housing joined King County, the City of Kirkland, and community partners to celebrate the opening of Sheila Stanton Place, a new permanent supportive housing community created through King County’s Health Through Housing initiative that began welcoming residents earlier this year. 

Named in honor of longtime Kirkland advocate Sheila Stanton, the building reflects her lifelong commitment to ensuring neighbors experiencing homelessness could find support, connection, and belonging. 

“Having a place to call home has made a huge difference in my life,” said Thomas I., a musician, mentor, devoted father, and resident of the new building. After moving from Hawaii to support his daughter through cancer treatment, Thomas’s circumstances changed, and he was left living in his van. 

Later, a connection with local outreach workers put him on a path toward stable housing. Now supported at Sheila Stanton Place, Thomas is thriving.

“Too often, homelessness is treated as a series of individual crises instead of the systems challenge it is. Our administration is building a coordinated response that expands housing, strengthens behavioral health services, and helps people get the support they need to regain stability,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “Together, we’re expanding access to permanent supportive housing on the Eastside while building a stronger housing system for all of King County.” 

Finally, a place to call home

 

Owned by King County and operated by Plymouth Housing, Sheila Stanton Place will provide 101 apartments for adults like Thomas who experienced homelessness, plus 24/7 staffing and onsite services including case management, health and behavioral health support, substance use treatment, and community activities. 

“Several people who struggled to succeed in other housing situations without the proper supports are now thriving at Sheila Stanton Place, where staff help residents access the resources they need,” said Karina O’Malley, who runs a safe parking program at the Lake Washington United Methodist Church, where people living in their cars can remain safely overnight. “Finally, there is a place to call home for the most vulnerable folks we serve.” 

Permanent supportive housing is a proven solution to homelessness. At Plymouth and Health Through Housing sites across King County, around 95% of residents remain housed long term after moving in. When people have stable housing and access to support, they are far more likely to improve their health, seek recovery for substance use, and build stronger connections in their communities. 

Honoring a community leader 

 

This new residential community honors a woman whose impact on Kirkland can still be felt today. On a cold winter evening in Kirkland, Sheila Stanton could often be found at St. John’s Episcopal Church, greeting neighbors with her signature warmth and making sure everyone had a seat at the community dinner table. 

A longtime advocate for people experiencing homelessness, Stanton spent years connecting neighbors to resources, organizing community meals, and building relationships across the community until her death in 2025. 

Stanton championed racial justice through Kirkland’s first Juneteenth celebration and Black History Month programs. She served on the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs and worked tirelessly to make her community more equitable and compassionate. 

Made possible by regional partnerships 

 

The building that now bears Stanton’s name is the result of years of collaboration among King County, the City of Kirkland, Plymouth Housing, service providers, faith leaders, healthcare partners, and community members who have worked together to expand housing options on the Eastside, where homelessness is a growing crisis. 

“The City of Kirkland is proud to partner with King County and Plymouth Housing in this lifesaving work to provide safe, permanent homes for people who have experienced chronic homelessness,” said Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis. “Sheila Stanton Place shows us what is possible when a local referral network, regional investment, and experienced service providers work together to connect community members with the stability, dignity, and support they deserve.” 

Residents are referred through a combination of local referral partners, City of Kirkland connections, and King County’s Coordinated Entry system, ensuring housing reaches people with the greatest needs. 

Sheila Stanton Place is Plymouth’s second Eastside community, following the opening of a Bellevue building in 2023, with another development planned in Redmond. 

As Plymouth CEO Karen Lee shared at the grand opening, Sheila Stanton’s legacy lives in a place where residents can access support, build community, and create new opportunities for themselves.