Find Posts By Topic

Posts categorized under Homelessness Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Human Interests

Following Local Health Directive, City of Seattle Will Provide Face Masks to Vulnerable Communities and Agencies

Following Public Health – Seattle & King County’s local health directive, the City of Seattle will provide over 45,000 free cloth face coverings to vulnerable communities and agencies that support these communities, including people experiencing homelessness, shelter providers and clients, low-income older adults, and food bank staff. Throughout this COVID-19 crisis, the City and King County have made it a priority to bring supplies to nearly 30 human services agencies, including critically needed items like surgical masks, N95 masks, gowns, face shields soap, gloves, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and clothing. Today’s announcement of new supplies builds on these efforts, following updated public health guidance that instructs all residents to wear face coverings in indoor public settings and outdoors where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

HSD Announces Results of Homeless Investments to Serve American Indians/Alaska Natives RFP

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2020 Reentry/Rerooting Indigenous Community Healing Request for Proposal (RFP) that closed on April 14. The RFP sought applications from organizations and coalitions interested in providing services to support Native/Indigenous people returning to their communities after incarceration through Native/Indigenous-led community healing practices. These practices may include cultural, spiritual, and/or ceremonial activities such as drumming circles, sweat lodges, canoe journey, woodcarving, and other practices that focus on healing, building connection and trust, and providing a sense of community.

COVID-19 & Seattle Human Services’ Mission: To connect people with resources and solutions during times of need

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 public health crisis, the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department continues to live out its mission: To connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work, and take part in strong, healthy communities. The work the department does has changed dramatically, with many employees stepping up to meet new challenges, volunteering, and working long hours. Here is a recap of what the team has been up to.

Update: Continuing to Expand Access to Hygiene Resources and Deploying Rapid Response Teams

Last week, the City of Seattle and The Seattle Public Library (SPL) announced the re-opening of restrooms at five library locations, providing additional vital hygiene resources to people living unsheltered. To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the City continues to increase access to hygiene facilities.

Video Update: Seattle’s Shelter Response During COVID-19

COVID-19 has forced us to take unprecedented measures to help stop the spread of the deadly disease. One group especially vulnerable is the homeless population. The City of Seattle, under Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, has taken unprecedented measures to open up as many shelter spaces as possible during this COVID-19 outbreak.

City Continues to Expand Enhanced 24/7 Shelter with Opening of Lakefront Community House

The City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) today announced the opening of a new, 24/7 enhanced shelter in the Bitter Lake neighborhood. The shelter has been named the Lakefront Community House. This new shelter was announced in March by Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and opened within weeks following the announcement, highlighting the urgency with which the City and its partner, LIHI, is working to add new shelter capacity during the COVID-19 crisis. The City’s Navigation Team will coordinate referrals to Lakefront Community House and will work with LIHI to identify and connect vulnerable people experiencing homelessness to this shelter that are at high-risk of exposure to COVID-19.

City Auditor Releases Report on Homeless Strategy and Investment Division

The Seattle Office of the City Auditor (OCA) recently released a report that found the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) —which develops, executes, and oversees over 200 contracted services that make up the City’s social safety net—is effectively managing these critical contracts. OCA reviewed the portfolio that focuses on HSD’s homelessness response, such as homelessness outreach, case management, emergency services (such as tiny house villages and shelters), housing support, and prevention programs. OCA conducted this audit in response to Seattle City Council President Lorena González’s request to review HSD’s management of the City’s homeless services contracts. The report examined: 1) HSD’s contract procurement, award and approval processes, 2) HSD’s contract administration and monitoring processes, 3) policies and program design for each type of homeless service, and 4) service provider compliance with contract terms and program requirements. The report includes eighteen recommendations for improving HSD’s management of homeless services contracts, homeless policy and program design, and service provider performance and contract compliance. “We deeply appreciate the time, expertise, and partnership the City Auditor brought to this important review,” said Jason Johnson, HSD director. “I also want to thank HSD staff and service providers who helped complete this audit. We are pleased that OCA found HSD’s planning, contract management, program design, and service provider performance are being managed appropriately and that the department is a good steward of public dollars. HSD is committed to continuous improvement and has begun instituting OCA’s feedback in the department’s operations, in addition to initiatives already underway.”

ICYMI: Continuing to Expand Hygiene Services, Shelter and Outreach to People Experiencing Homelessness

The City of Seattle announced a number of steps today to further expand hygiene services, add new shelter spaces, and continue outreach to people experiencing homelessness. This expansion of resources is a continuation of ongoing work by the City and County to bring critically needed resources to those most in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Update: Continuing Expansion of Hygiene Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

In addition to the creation of new 24/7 shelters with access to hygiene services and places for individuals experiencing homelessness to stay who have and are recovering from COVID-19, the City of Seattle announced yesterday the continued expansion of hygiene services for people experiencing homelessness. Building on the previously announced resources, eight new hygiene stations will be deployed and two hygiene trailers will be positioned in areas where individuals experiencing homelessness can be best served.

COVID-19 Update: Continuing to expand shelter and outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness

Since before the COVID-19 outbreak reached King County, the City has taken measures to ensure those with and without shelter have the resources they need to stay safe. Building on that work, yesterday the City of Seattle announced the opening of a temporary de-intensifying shelter at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center, creating 79 new spaces for current shelter clients. The Fisher Pavilion shelter will serve clients from Salvation Army’s overnight-only City Hall shelters. With the opening of this new facility, the Salvation Army and its clients will be able to better follow social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The shelter also provides space at Fisher Pavilion for people to safely shelter.