Shelter and Housing

Service Centers

The City of Seattle funds a number of centers that provide clients with shower and laundry facilities as well as referrals to other services -- such as housing and health care -- that promote healthy, independent living. Some centers also provide on-site hot meals, storage space, employment referrals, and drug/alcohol counseling.

As part of its commitment to implementing the Ten-Year Plan to End Homeless in King County (link to level 2 page), the City has adopted a “housing first” strategy, which provides homeless people permanent housing and immediate access to services critical to stabilizing their lives. This includes education, job training, and finding treatment for a medical, mental health or addiction problem.

Service centers play an important role in the referral process. Clients are homeless single adult men and women who have no or very low incomes, and many receive or have applied for some form of public assistance such as General Assistance-Unemployable (GAU), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or unemployment compensation. Many suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. Others are experiencing personal and family problems such as domestic violence, abuse, neglect, illness, addiction, injury, job loss and eviction.

The City of Seattle started funding service centers in 1982. City of Seattle General Funds and federal Housing and Urban Development funds provide support for nonprofit, community-based organizations to operate hygiene and day centers, primarily for homeless individuals. Funding during funding cycles depends upon program performance and funding availability. In 2008, $2.6 million was distributed; the 2009 allocation is $3.8 million.

2009 Funded Agencies and Programs

• Archdiocesan Housing Authority - Lazarus Day Center
• Archdiocesan Housing Authority - Women's Referral Center
• Church of Mary Magdalene Mary's Place Day Center
• Compass Center - Hygiene Center
• Downtown Emergency Service Center’s Connections
• Family and Adult Services Center
• Immanuel Cascade Hygiene Center, 206-622-1930
• Low Income Housing Institute - Urban Rest Stop
• Women's Wellness Center
• YWCA Angeline's Day Center
• YWCA Angeline's Hygiene Center

Information

For more information about service centers for homeless people, please contact the agencies listed above or the 211 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

If you don't need a service center but you have questions about Seattle Human Services Department program policy, call 206-684-0266 or e-mail emergencyservices@seattle.gov.

Links

• Current Funding Opportunities
• News