The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is a non-profit organization in Seattle, Washington, providing services for that city's homeless population. The organization was founded in 1979 to aid men and women living in a state of chronic homelessness who, due to their severe and persistent mental and addictive illnesses, were not being served by the existing shelters at the time. At its opening, the non-profit sheltered nearly 200 adults from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in the ballroom of the Morrison Hotel.DESC clients engage with mental health services, case management and employment services at DESC projects. DESC currently operates 5 shelters and 15 supportive housing projects and is largely funded by the City of Seattle and King County.