Sunset House

Seattle housing co-operative established 1970.

1 Room available July 2026

About Us

Sunset House is seeking long-term members for our lovely cooperative house in the Central District / south Capitol Hill area.

About Us

Sunset House is a cooperative in a beautiful, six-bedroom, purple house located on Duwamish land in the Central District / south Capitol Hill area. Our house consists of: 6 bedrooms, a covered front porch, newly built big back deck, hardwood floors, a guest bedroom, living room, dining room, an open kitchen, large pantry, a large basement, and breakfast nook space. Our backyard is big with many garden beds, 7 chickens and their coop, fruit trees, a large newly built deck, and space for potential! The basement has a tool room, space for musicians to practice, plenty of storage space, washer/dryer, chest freezer, mini-fridge for extra storage and bike hooks.A community since 1970, Sunset is part of a land trust, so that means no landlord! As a member, you will be a steward of the property, taking part in all decisions that have to do with improvements, maintenance, recruitment, and more. We have a duty and responsibility to maintain the house, and pay dues to be able to afford to make repairs, pay our property taxes and nurture the space and our community. The Evergreen Land Trust is the oldest community land trust in the Pacific Northwest, the board of which is composed of members of its eight properties. In short, as members of the ELT, we hold each other accountable to following the mission of providing permanently affordable and sustainable housing.

Our Values

To build strong relations with each other, formally and informally. To cultivate an intentional community of mutual aid and generosity.To steward this house responsibly, keeping it beautiful, safe, and well­ maintained.To create a household that feels alive, full, active, and welcoming – the center of a web for family, friends, and extended community.To contribute to collective liberation- making our space available and supportive in anti-oppression based organizing and connection. "The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free." -Maya Angelou-We encourage people who are BIPOC, queer or trans, or who may otherwise be discriminated against in Seattle's housing process to apply.

Current Residents

Elle (she/they) 32, white / transfemme
I’m an antizionist Jewish transfemme originally from Los Angeles, and I’ve lived at Sunset House since 2021. I spend my free time organizing for collective liberation, puppeteering, gay country dancing, and working on fun projects with my friends. I work 20 hours a week and am full time in school becoming a therapist, which means I can feel pretty busy. When I have the time I like to forage for mushrooms and play in water. I’m not Sabine’s mom but I do like to remind her that she’s SO weird.Arlo (they/he) is a white, trans, nonbinary, neuroqueer person grown in the rural Maine countryside before moving to Seattle in June 2021. They work part time as a Home Care Aid to financially support themself as a comic artist, musician in a punk band, and zine artist. He loves to frolic, find beauty in the mundane, and practice being truly present in the moment. They're hoping to throw more DIY shows in the backyard, and get excited about house renovation projects.As (they/she) 39 yo, white, non-binary femme. Sometimes a nanny, substitute teacher, and/or dance teacher. Involved in community work (pro-Palestine, f*** ICE, yes mutual aid). On a healing journey with PMDD and depression. Some interests: dancing, meditation, learning Spanish, accordion/flute, book club, comedy, nature, death-care work, biking, animals, tidiness. Over 12 years of intentional community living experience. Likes to directly communicate with compassion. Appreciates folks who are upfront. Has some sound and scent sensitives. Vegan. Enjoys a balance of being goofy, serious and the in between. Fully vaccinated with several boosters and still takes precautions around covid.Ary (they/them) 28 biracial + non-binary + AuDHD
I am a current full-time grad student, graduating in June! I have a hairless cat who is very very sweet and loves people. I am often pretty busy with school and work, but still love to yap around the house when I am not super busy or overwhelmed! I am always picking up a bunch of random new hobbies and love to be outside and in the sun walking, swimming, or reading a book. Currently I am learning to sew and play the electric guitar and would love a buddy for body doubling. I enjoy movement in lots of ways, like hiking, dancing bachata, salsa, or queer line dance. I love QTBIPOC spaces and really value creating and contributing to those spaces, and I am really excited to support local community organizers once I graduate. As a housemate, I really appreciate direct communicators who approach differences with curiosity.June (she/her) 39, mixed latina, trans
I make art! I love art, whether it’s enjoying it or making it. I like to draw, traditionally and digitally, I also enjoy making little animations. My other hobbies include games (board and video), film, reading, making yummy food, and bopping around town when the weather is nice. I used to work in tech but I’m considering a career change. Right now I work with kids and teach them how to be pokemon masters. I’m typically a bit of a shut-in, especially when I’m working a lot, but I love impromptu housemate hangouts, figure drawing sessions and going out on the weekends. I engage in community activism, mutual aid, and support. I’m Sabine’s other mom.PETS
Sabine/Bean/Mr.Bean/Sabignon (french) (she/her) 6 😼
A pink hairless cat that is very people friendly. She has lots of zoomies and skitters around the house. She often sits on vents or is hiding in random blankets around the house to retain heat. She hates baths, but she is very polite about it tbh. If you sit anywhere near her for too long she will find a way to sit on you. She loves her scratching posts, and also scratching the rug that she is not supposed to. She is generally a good cat, but she has some rare yowly days when she is in her feels. She grew up on a farm so she likes to be outside during the summer and we have to be careful around the door so she does not escape (mostly during the summer). She has a crush on elle. She has nasty farts

Current Member Responsibilities (~13 hours/month):

--Pay dues of $850 on the 1st of every month (includes “rent,” food, utilities, maintenance costs, and house staples like batteries/stamps/etc)--Attend meetings as scheduled, currently 3-4 times a month, 90 minutes in length.--Participate in our house chore system and cooking a group meal once a week.--Maintain a neat and tidy common space--Help to maintain the physical structure of the house at our monthly work parties (~3-5 hours per month)Duties, dues, and time commitments may change depending on the agreements that all house members make together.

Application + Move In Process

Step 1: Fill out the application, linked here.Step 2: If we think we might be a good fit for each other, we will reach out via the phone number you provided and set up time for a one-on-one phone call with one of the house members.Step 3: If we proceed, you will be invited to an in-person interview where we get the chance to learn more about each other, and you get to tour the house.Step 4: If we proceed from there, you are invited to come live at Sunset!MOVE IN
There is a fee of $1450, which includes a damage deposit ($600) + first month’s dues ($850). The security deposit can be paid in installments over six months. As we re-evaluate our expenses, dues are subject to change.You will be asked to sign the "Sunset House Community Agreements" and "Resident and Member Agreement Through Evergreen Land Trust". If you would like to view those at any time during the interview process, please ask!3 MONTH PROVISIONAL MEMBER STATUS
Upon moving in, provisional member status is given for three months. At the end of three months, the provisional member can apply for full membership, which the community chooses to grant or deny or if the provisional member decides not to apply for membership at the end of the three month trial period, they must move out within 60 days. If it isn't working out, hopefully the request will not come as a surprise. Members of the house will be transparent with the provisional member if concerns arise in those first three months. As a house, we seek to address difficulties promptly and directly.The limitations of being a provisional member include not having direct personal access to the house bank accounts, and not being permitted to cast a vote at house meetings in decisions regarding membership (approval or termination of others's membership.)FULL MEMBERSHIP
If the provisional member applies for full membership and it is granted, the above limitations are lifted.

FAQ!

Q: Does the house follow ADA requirements for accessibility?
A: Unfortunately, no. The house has multiple steps to enter, and we do not have any bathrooms or bedrooms on the ground floor – only up or down steep stairs. We are hoping to renovate the house to make it more accessible in the future, but we do not see this happening in the next few years due to cost constraints.Q: Can I bring a furry pet or service animal?
A: We’re open to negotiating! Currently, one indoor kitty named Sabine lives here. There are also seven adult chickens outdoors in the backyard.Q: What do dues cover?
A: Property taxes, maintenance costs, utilities, house incidental needs, gardening supplies, and food.Q: Since it's a cooperative, can I gain equity as an individual?
A: No, no individual can gain equity in this property.Q: Is there a move-in fee?
A: Yes, there is a damage deposit of $600, in addition to the $850 for your first month. That's a total of $1450 for move-in. The damage deposit can be paid in installments over six months.Q: How many bathrooms are there?
A: Two bathrooms – one on the second floor and one in the basement. Each has a shower.Q: Can multiple people share a room?
A: Generally no.Q: How long does the application process take?
A: Generally two weeks to a month! Sometimes, up to two months, though we will try to move quickly so as to respect your time and housing needs.Q: Will you really ask a provisional member to move out if they're not a good fit?
A: Yes. If it isn't working out, hopefully this request will not come as a surprise. The house will be transparent with the provisional member if concerns arise in those first three months. As a house, we seek to address difficulties promptly and directly and, when appropriate, give folks the chance to change any problematic behaviors.Q: I applied, will I hear back from you folks either way?
A: We will reach out if we're interested in scheduling a phone interview. Otherwise, we won't reach out! We thank you so much for your time and interest either way!

Open Room

Available Third floor bedroom

Photos