Since the Ariel House opened in 2002, it has been the only independent-living home designed for residents with multiple sclerosis, and while the four people living there say it meets their needs more than any other housing option, they will soon be forced to leave.

Ariel House is located in the Admiral neighborhood just behind Hiawatha Park. The five-bedroom home has been remodeled, and frequently updated to meet the needs of residents with limited mobility, some who use a wheel chair. Wide hallways are lined with railings, countertops are lowered, showers are wheelchair accessible and laundry machines are lifted. The home also has an elevator and community spaces, like a barbeque patio.

It is closely located to grocery and drug stores, and the residents say they feel safe in their neighborhood.

"It was a real comfortable home," said Jan Crovisier, who has lived at Ariel House for six years. "A lot of thought went into planning this place."

The home is co-owned by Multifaith Works and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County. But in late March residents were informed that the groups would be selling their home and they would have to find a new place to live.

"It came as a big shock," said Crovisier.

"It kind of took the breath out of you," added resident Lyn Sept.

Sept and Crovisier are each old enough to qualify for senior housing, including the nearby Island View complex in the Admiral District. Still, the two preferred living in a home that addressed their specific limitations.

"It's going to be different," Lynn said.

For some of the residents, finding another home will likely be exceptionally difficult.

Aaron Hamilton, the youngest resident at age 32, expects he will have to move to a less safe, but more affordable neighborhood. He has tried to live with friends in the past but wasn’t able to function as easily as he did in Ariel House.

Edd Johnson, 47, earned a negative credit rating when he was first diagnosed with MS so he too has struggled to find affordable housing.

At Ariel House, residents were charged just 30 percent of their total income, or up to $425 a month. This includes utilities and is more accommodating than most assisted living units.

Johnson also works at West Seattle High School, just across the street from the home. He is unsure if he will be able to keep his job.

"I don't think we're gong to find the same situation anywhere else," said Johnson.

The residents of Ariel House have never received an explanation from Multifaith Works or the Multiple Sclerosis Association, although Johnson suggested that the two organizations did not work well together. He added that Multifaith may only be interested in funding transitional housing.

"None of us here understand why they can't work this out," said Johnson.

What’s more, the residents suspect that the organizations might have known they would sell the house long before residents were informed. A fifth room in the home has been empty for months, with no attempt to occupy it.

"We need more MS houses throughout the United States, rather than lose the only one there is," said Crovisier.

The residents have received help from a social worker and have been told to take their time and were told they might have up to 18 months before the house is sold.

Still, when they moved in most of the residents downsized and got rid of their own home furnishings, expecting to live at Ariel House until they required more medical attention.

If you are interested in donating furniture to the residents or would like to help with their transition in any other way please contact Johnson at (360) 593-4199.