A Way Home Washington launched in 2015 with funding from some of the biggest names in regional philanthropy — Raikes, Schultz, Campion, Ballmer and Gates. It was the private sector’s counterpart to the state’s efforts on youth homelessness that began with the creation of an Office of Homeless Youth.

Those efforts by the state and philanthropies were largely successful, resulting in a 40% reduction in youth and young adult homelessness in Washington between 2016 and 2023, by some measures.

A Way Home Washington announced in a statement Oct. 5 that it was preparing to shut down the organization after private funding had run out. However, state officials say they plan to continue some of the work started by the organization with state funding and new partners.

The organization plans to operate until the end of the year to make that handoff. A Way Home Washington has about 20 employees who will be laid off.