FUSION Housing: A Lifeline for Families in Need

Providing shelter, support, and opportunity

By Like Media Team

For more than three decades, FUSION has been a pillar of support for families experiencing homelessness in Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma. Founded in 1993 by a group of dedicated women with a vision that no one should be without a home, the organization began with a single house. Today, FUSION owns and operates 26 transitional housing units and the Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center, a 90-bed emergency shelter, providing stability for more than 550 individuals annually.  

“Our mission is to provide housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness in our community so they will have a safe, secure environment as they work toward self-sufficiency,” says Executive Director David Harrison.  

Beyond offering shelter, FUSION equips families with the necessary resources to thrive. Families in their programs are paired with caseworkers who help them develop a path toward stability. Whether they need financial guidance, mental health services, childcare assistance, or job training, FUSION ensures they receive support. Children in the program also have access to tutoring, enrichment activities, and seasonal celebrations, allowing them to experience a sense of normalcy.  

FUSION extends its impact through FUSION Décor Boutique and Poverty Bay Café & Bakery, two businesses that help fund the mission. The café also serves as the home base for TABLE (Transforming And Building Lives through Employment), a job training program designed to provide hands-on work experience for individuals seeking stable employment. The success of this initiative is evident in the story of one of their first graduates, who transitioned from homelessness to securing a job in a grocery store deli, working his way up to manager.  

“We are so proud of the grit and determination of our residents and are inspired every day by the drive they have to improve their situation for their families,” Harrison shared.  

With increasing demand for their services, funding remains a critical challenge. “We consistently have a waiting list of dozens of families needing shelter,” Harrison says. To help bridge the gap, FUSION relies on donations, grants, and fundraising events, including its Annual Gala, the organization’s largest event.  

This year’s Gala, “Waves of Change,” will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Dumas Bay Centre. It promises a night of fun, games, music, and auctions supporting FUSION’s mission. Last year, the event raised over half a million dollars, helping 92% of transitional housing families move into permanent homes—critical funding that helps FUSION continue its work. 

To support FUSION, individuals can donate, shop, volunteer, attend the Gala, explore volunteer opportunities, or contribute to a homeless shelter. “By shopping at the Boutique or grabbing a coffee at Poverty Bay Café & Bakery, you’re directly supporting our mission,” Harrison emphasizes. Those interested in getting involved can visit FUSIONHousing.org to learn more.  

FUSION continues to make a lasting impact, ensuring families have the tools and support they need to build a better future.

FUSION Housing

P.O. Box 23934

Federal Way, WA 98093

Office Phone: 253.874.1257

EMERGENCY HOUSING: 206.245.1026

FUSIONHousing.org

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