We are excited to announce a significant development at Compass Housing Alliance. Christopher Ross has rejoined the agency as our new President, effective November 2024. Christopher previously served Compass Housing Alliance as Chief Operations Officer from 2019 to 2021, and we are thrilled to welcome him back.
Christopher’s return marks a strategic shift for Compass Housing Alliance. Under the Board’s authorization, Christopher will lead the team with two primary objectives.
- To continue to guide our dedicated team in providing essential emergency services such as shelters and hygiene centers while also focusing on the development and management of low-income housing for individuals and families.
- To advance the 2021 affiliation agreement with Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) to create a fully integrated organization, enhancing our impact on the community.
Integrations like this take time, an average of 12-18 months. We will keep you in the loop as we work through joining our beloved organizations, and we look forward to sharing more as we move toward a full partnership.
By combining Compass Housing Alliance’s expertise in housing, homelessness, and wrap-around services with LCSNW’s experience in mental health, community services, and support for refugees, immigrants, older adults, and families, we will create an even stronger organization.
Both Compass Housing Alliance and LCSNW share complementary missions, similar cultures, and a passion for building sustainable opportunities. The two organizations even share the same founder, Reverend Otto Karlstrom, who started both organizations more than 100 years ago. This integration will equip us to tackle the many challenges facing nonprofits in the housing, human services, and refugee support sectors, including uncertain government funding, shifting political views, and the rising costs of providing care for our neighbors.
We also wish to acknowledge Michael Bailey, our former President, for his dedicated service and leadership. Michael has chosen to move on from Compass to pursue other professional opportunities, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.