In preparation for forecasted below freezing temperatures and snow over the coming days, the Human Services Department (HSD), in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), is opening Bitter Lake and Garfield Community Centers as 24-hour coed severe weather shelters on Thursday, February 11, at 8 pm. Both locations will remain open through the morning of Monday, February 15. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) will operate both locations with support from HSD and SPR staff.
These two shelter locations will provide an additional 86 COVID-safe emergency shelter spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness. Bitter Lake Community Center (13035 Linden Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133) has shelter capacity for 45 individuals and Garfield Community Center (2323 East Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98122) will have capacity for 41 individuals.
OSL will provide three meals a day and showers will be available for shelter guests. Service animals will be allowed at both community center locations.
The temporary shelter spaces will meet COVID-19 safety protocols recommended by Public Health-Seattle & King County and the Centers for Disease Control which call for COVID-19 screening for guests, expanded space to allow physical distancing, hygiene access, and increased sanitation guidelines.
On Tuesday, February 9, the City opened Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109) as a daily severe weather shelter though the morning of Monday, February 15. Fisher Pavilion has capacity for 78 adults, accommodates all genders and is operated by The Salvation Army and Compass Housing Alliance. Overnight guests at the shelter may remain during the day.
King County has opened the Jefferson Day Center (420 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104) as a men’s only severe weather shelter that can accommodate 25 men. The temporary shelter opened Tuesday, February 9 and will remain open through Saturday, February 13 and is operated by The Salvation Army.
The Homelessness Outreach and Provider Ecosystem (HOPE) Team is coordinating outreach and shelter referrals into the City’s temporary severe weather shelters, and other City funded shelters, in partnership with our contracted outreach providers.
SPR is lending passenger vans to the HOPE Team and staff members will work with the Seattle Fire Department’s Health One in conducting evening welfare visits to people living unsheltered and will help with transporting individuals to available shelter resources. Transportation will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols. The HOPE Team has a supply of weather supplies to distribute including handwarmers, emergency blankets, hats, and gloves.
For general information about the temporary shelters, call 206-735-9461. If you are in need of shelter, call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274. For families with minor children, call YWCA’s late night shelter 24-hour intake line at 206-461-4882. For an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Download the Severe Weather Shelter Flyer – February 11, 2021