A long-standing network of support for Seattle's LGBTQIA+ community members who are living with HIV/AIDS has officially closed its 30+-year chapter in King County. Lifelong wrapped up two contracts with the City of Seattle late last year and earlier this year, transferring all of its housing clients in the county to Bailey-Boushay House, which falls under Virginia Mason Fransiscan Health, and other housing agencies.

"This decision was based on a combination of administrative complexities and delayed reimbursement timelines that created financial strain for Lifelong," CEO Erica Sessle told the SGN.

In spring of 2024, Lifelong and the City of Seattle both agreed to end the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) contract at the end of that year. Sessle noted how Lifelong maintained housing services at that time but that unpredictable factors made it increasingly difficult for the small nonprofit to manage contracts in a sustainable way.

The Ryan White Part A (RWPA) contract, which provided housing support for Lifelong's clients, was closely intertwined with the HOPWA program. Sessle said because of this connectedness in King County, it wasn't feasible for Lifelong to reapply to that portion of funding, since it expired on February 28, 2025.

"The City was a collaborative partner throughout the process," Sessle said, "and while both entities fully recognized the importance of these services, it was agreed that a larger implementing partner – better equipped to navigate those conditions at the time – would be well positioned to continue the work."

The transition of Lifelong clients to Bailey-Boushay House was formalized after the RWPA contract ended, following the HOPWA contract termination on December 31, 2024.

"Clients were referred to Bailey-Boushay House and other agencies, with Lifelong supporting a phased, client-centered transition," Sessle added. "Our case managers worked directly with clients to update documentation, communicate next steps, and coordinate warm handoffs to ensure housing continuity and minimal disruption."

Sessle brought up how Lifelong held one-on-one meetings with housing clients to explain the changes and to answer any questions. Lifelong staff also assisted with paperwork and eligibility assessments and referrals, worked to ensure a continuity of care by coordinating with receiving agencies, and maintained services and rent subsidies throughout the transition period to support housing stability.

"In total, approximately 165 clients and their households transitioned to new providers, with 122 households transferring to Bailey-Boushay House," Sessle said.

Lifelong's next journey
Lifelong is still providing housing services in Skagit, San Juan, and Whatcom Counties through funding from the Washington State Department of Health, but the organization is still smoothing over some recent changes that the SGNreported on earlier this year.

In January, Sessle publicly announced that Lifelong would be closing its Lucile Street location to move into a new and larger facility in Georgetown Yards, part of which included reopening Lifelong Thrift under a new nonprofit. That new lease was signed in July 2024.

"The Georgetown move enabled us to expand our food and nutrition services significantly, thanks in part to capital investment from the State of Washington, and we moved in at the end of March 2025," Sessle said.

Although it's a bittersweet goodbye, Sessle said Lifelong is honored to have served housing clients through the RWPA and HOPWA programs for over three decades, and thinks the transition of clients will ultimately benefit the community in the long run.

"During that time, the community placed its trust in us, and we responded by delivering housing services to hundreds of households facing urgent and often dire circumstances – helping them move toward stability and improved health," Sessle said. "We are incredibly grateful to our staff, community partners, and most of all, our clients, for their resilience and trust."

The SGN reached out to Bailey-Boushay House for comment but did not receive a response.