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Like Compass, smaller nonprofits say they can’t afford a big swing like DESC.

But she sees an opportunity for DESC’s wage increases to be a steppingstone for the entire industry rather than a way for other organizations to undercut DESC’s prices and take its contracts.

Gonzales said other organizations could support DESC’s raises by not bidding for the same contracts.

But that didn’t cover raises for workers at DESC’s homeless shelters or other parts of the organization, and Malone said leadership didn’t want a pay disparity within the organization.

DESC’s move raises the question of whether wages across the sector will follow, especially as the King County Regional Homelessness Authority sets new terms in new contracts with the organizations paid to provide outreach, shelter and other services next year.