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Looking Back at 2021 as We Look Forward to 2022

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Our 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 continued to hold a greater sense of urgency in 2021. Over this past year, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) continued to be one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net, and our staff and community of human service providers continued to be a part of the front-line response to COVID-19. HSD also worked to advance our Mission by adapting programs and rising to challenges to ensure all of our communities have access to the opportunity to thrive. And we couldn’t do it without the partnership and efforts of friends and community members.

As we take on new bodies of work in 2022, we move forward committed to helping people grow up and grow old with opportunity and dignity and will work to support and empower diverse communities across Seattle. We are proud to share some of the highlights from 2021, and we are grateful for the help and hard work many of you provided us to realize these achievements.

COVID-19:

Round sticker design with text I got my COVID-19 Vaccine #BestShotSeattle
  1. Aging & Disability Services (ADS) helped 14,000 clients secure COVID-19 vaccine appointments and 1,350+ in-home vaccine screenings. Staff also assisted in standing up 120 vaccine clinics in SHA building and other community-based locations.
  2. Wellspring reported distributing 70 checks totaling an additional $81,200 in cash assistance from the Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund. The cumulative dispersed amount for the Fund is 1,520 checks totaling $2,023,00 in cash assistance. The total amount dedicated to the Fund is $2,170,000.
  3. Seattle Relief Fund provided over $16 million in direct cash assistance for vulnerable low-income residents impacted by COVID-19.

Preparing Youth for Success:

Tilth Alliance staff and two SYEP interns standing out in a field
  1. Seattle Summer Food Service Program distributed 82,903 meals including lunches, breakfasts, and snacks at 39 sites throughout Seattle, including parks and Seattle Public Schools.
  2. Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) supported 328 paid youth opportunities through its Earn and Learn program and employment internships, which ranged from environmental work to media production and much more.

Supporting Affordability and Livability:

Ad graphic with text including "We're here to help." seattle.gov/UDP
  1. HSD provided funding for 214,549 food bank visits (duplicated) and 1,457,972 meals through meal programs (at PSH, ES, and Community meals).
  2. 7,183 new Utility Discount Program (UDP) customers were enrolled.

Promoting Public Health:

  1. ADS staff helped lead the large-scale transition of the state’s “Get Care” Database which involved training and supporting 132 individuals and 32 agencies.
  2. The nationally recognized Mobile Integrated Health Program partnership continued to increase the service area for Health One and added a second Seattle Fire unit to respond to referrals, and announced the launch of a third unit in 2022.

Addressing Homelessness:

City employees assisting with Exhibition Hall shelter operations
  1. As the Homeless Strategy & Investment (HSI) division moved towards its year-end sunset the team held steady on its commitment to increase access to safer spaces and to keep COVID protections in place across shelters. In 2021, a net 380 new shelter beds were created by year-end, with 350 new 24/7 non-congregate shelter spaces in the last quarter. Currently the City funds approximately 2,800 total shelter spaces, a 700-shelter unit increase over levels at the end of 2020. Additionally, 92% of City-funded shelter spaces are now 24/7 enhanced with wraparound onsite services – this compares to 75% pre-pandemic (Q4 2019).
  2. The team has also been working to close out over 160 contracts that the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will take on starting this month.
  3. And over the course of a nine-day severe weather shelter activation that ended January 3 in response to prolonged cold temperatures and snowy conditions, HSI staff, in partnership with service providers, the KCRHA, volunteers, and City departments, provided a total of 2,116 overnight stays across six emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness.

Promoting Healthy Aging:

  1. 2,351 people were reached via 22 Age Friendly Seattle virtual events in 2021 as the program continued to support learning and social connection through online programing including Civic Coffee Hours, Close to Home programs, an African American Elders’ Candidates Forum, Memory Sunday Brain Health & Dementia Awareness, and more.

Supporting Safe Communities:

Seattle Great Wheel lit up in purple at night
  1. Work continued in 2021 to stand up our new Safe and Thriving Communities (STC) Division. We hired STC’s first Division Director and acquired two SPD services: Crime Victim Advocates and Victim Support Team. And the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) continued its work after moving into the division.
  2. STC staff conducted several funding processes to invest in community, including:
    • $500,000 in Regional Peacekeepers Collective
    • $600,000 to mitigate increasing gender-based violence during the pandemic

As we look ahead, please join us in celebrating these tremendous contributions and looking forward to what we will achieve together in 2022!

Seattle Mayor and City Council Proclaim January Human Trafficking Awareness Month, January 11 Human Trafficking Day

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City leaders encourage public awareness and action against human trafficking

SEATTLE – Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Lisa Herbold were joined by other City Councilmembers to declare the month of January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” and today, January 11, 2022, to be “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” to proclaim the equality and freedom inherent to all people. The proclamation sets forward the City’s intent to advocate for legislation and protection for survivors, to educate leaders, and to encourage public awareness and action against various forms of human trafficking.

image of the top part of the City of Seattle proclamation document for Human Trafficking Awareness Month 2022

“Human trafficking is an unacceptable and criminal abuse of power. In this effort, the City is reiterating our pledge to protect and empower survivors of all forms of human trafficking, to pursue and charge traffickers, and to drive forward this important work until the scourge of human trafficking has ended—in Seattle, in the United States, and around the world,” said Mayor Harrell.

U.S. law defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against their will. It also includes the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, which is considered human trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud or coercion.

“People of color, young people, LGBTI people, and people vulnerable through socio-economic barriers, are disproportionately affected by trafficking,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold, Public Safety and Human Services Committee Chair. “More than 400 trafficking survivors receive advocacy, counseling, and therapeutic services as a result of City investments. I’m grateful to the Domestic Violence Prevention Council and Human Services Department for bringing awareness of how trafficking contributes to the breakdown of families and community, fuels organized crime, and undermines public health,” Herbold added.

To learn more about local efforts to disrupt human trafficking and ways to get involved, visit the Seattle Human Services Department’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) website. MODVSA works in coordination with the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT) which is informed by survivors, activists, and representatives from our criminal justice response to help expand the conversation around human trafficking in the City of Seattle.  

More information and additional resources related to combatting human trafficking can be found on the following local and national websites: 

To report concerns that human trafficking might be taking place, please call 
the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network Victim Assistance Line at 206.245.0782 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.3737.888. 

RECAP: HSD and partners facilitated 2,116 overnight stays at severe weather shelters during record-breaking cold, snow

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Over the course of a nine-day severe weather shelter activation that ended January 3 in response to prolonged cold temperatures and snowy conditions, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), in partnership with service providers, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), volunteers, and City departments, provided a total of 2,116 overnight stays across six emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness.

At their peak capacity, the shelters at Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center, Compass Housing Alliance, City Hall, Seattle Mennonite Church, God’s Little Acre, and American Legion Post 160 of West Seattle, could provide up to 379 shelter spaces per night, serving adults of all genders. The activation, which began on December 25, provided 283 overnight guests protection from the elements during its highest point of usage on the night of December 30.

“For almost two years, the impacts from COVID-19 have put incredible strain on our human service providers. Despite these compounding challenges, HSD staff, contracted providers, other community organizations, the KCRHA, and City employees, came together to quickly stand up and operate six emergency shelters to keep hundreds of people safe and warm during an extended stretch of extreme winter weather,” said Acting Director Tanya Kim. “I want to thank both Mayor Durkan and Mayor Harrell for their leadership, the Office of Emergency Management for their collaboration, Seattle Parks and Recreation and Finance and Administrative Services for directly supporting the shelters, and all those who played a part in supporting our most vulnerable during their time of need.”

Shelter Census 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30 12/31 1/1 1/2 Total 
Compass Housing 28 81 54 51 55 53 41  *21  32 416
Exhibition Hall 59 107 132 142 142 134 118  157 130 1,121
City Hall X X 30 52 55 70 62  68 *60 397
West Seattle X X 12 11 11 16 15  18 15 98
Seattle Mennonite Church X 10 14 15 13 10 6  7 9 84
God’s Lil Acre X 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0
Totals 87 198 242 271 276 283 242  271 246 2,116
(duplicated)
Capacity 180 265 351 371 371 371 371  379 379 
* Indicates a preliminary count that was taken prior to midnight instead of the morning of closure
Photo of Exhibition Hall shelter

Exhibition Hall, operated by The Salvation Army, opened on December 25 and was the most utilized temporary shelter, providing 1,121 overnight stays over the course of its activation. Initially, the shelter had capacity for 100 guests, but expanded capacity to 130 on December 26 and then was expanded to 150 spaces on December 28 to meet the need. The Compass Housing Alliance shelter also opened on December 25 with a capacity for 80 guests and provided 416 overnight stays while also serving as a day center.

City Hall shelter, operated by Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and supported by City employee volunteers, opened as a 24-hour shelter on December 27 and provided 397 overnight stays during its weeklong activation. Through coordination with KCRHA, the HOPE Team provided direct transportation for 27 individuals exiting City Hall on January 3 to hotel placements and permanent shelter locations.

Starting December 26, Lake City Partners operated two severe weather shelter locations in Lake City at the Seattle Mennonite Church and God’s Little Acre. The West Seattle shelter opened on December 27 and was operated by American Legion Post 160 and a faith-based network of volunteers.

City employees assisting with Exhibition Hall shelter operations

To support staffing shortages and operational constraints for shelter providers due to COVID-19, Mayor Durkan signed an emergency order on December 24 to provide monetary incentives for frontline workers and human service providers staffing emergency shelters and warming centers. In response to the Mayor’s call for added staff support, 171 City employees opted into this surge staffing effort, with 18 employees eventually deployed in support of warming shelters and centers or assisting with transportation efforts over seven days.

Emergency shelter spaces followed Public Health—Seattle & King County COVID-19 safety and screening protocols for guests, including added air filtration, physical distancing, and increased sanitation and hygiene. Providers also followed Public Health isolation protocols for any symptomatic guests.

During the inclement weather, HSD’s HOPE Team coordinated outreach and shelter referrals into the City’s temporary severe weather shelters, and other City-funded shelters, in partnership with our contracted outreach providers. The HOPE Team, in coordination with Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) Seattle Fire Department’s Health One and Seattle Police Department’s Community Service Officers, conducted welfare visits, sharing information on emergency shelters, provided transportation to warming centers and shelter, and supported efforts to distribute weather supplies including handwarmers, socks, emergency blankets, hats, and gloves.

Over the course of the winter weather response, the HOPE Team and SPR outreach to unsheltered neighbors resulted in at least:

  • 319 conversations about severe weather shelters
  • 189 people receiving winter weather supplies
  • 30 rides to warming shelters
  • 51 referrals to temporary severe weather shelters
  • 34 referrals to permanent shelters (December 21 – January 3)

Neighborhoods visited included Ballard, SODO, Georgetown, Rainer Valley, Beacon Hill, Downtown, Belltown, Queen Anne, Lake City, University District, Central District, Capitol Hill, Chinatown-International District, Delridge, West Seattle, and Pioneer Square.

This fall, the City and HSD brought online 350 new 24/7 non-congregate shelter spaces. Currently the City funds approximately 2,800 total shelter spaces, a 700-shelter unit increase over last year’s levels (Q4 2020). Additionally, 92% of City-funded shelter spaces are now 24/7 enhanced with wraparound onsite services – this compares to 75% pre-pandemic (Q4 2019).

City of Seattle Extends Severe Weather Shelters for People Experiencing Homelessness in Response to Ongoing Cold Temperatures and Snow

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**Updated January 3, 2022

Click on flyer image to download

Severe Weather Shelter locations are closing January 3.

Together, with contracted severe weather shelter providers and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the City was able to make sure that on approximately 2,100 (duplicated) occasions between December 25th and January 3rd, people in our community didn’t have to sleep outside in severe cold, snow, and freezing temperatures.

After the first nights of cold and snow, the Seattle Human Services Department announced (on 12/29) the extension of operations for its temporary severe weather shelters that opened starting December 25 in response to record breaking low temperatures and significant snowfall. Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center and Compass Housing Alliance shelters will remain open through Monday, January 3 at 7 a.m. and City Hall shelter (now closed) was extended through January 2 at 7 p.m. Across the six shelters currently open, there is capacity to serve up to 372 people per night. Last night (12/29), 276 people utilized these spaces. Forecasts continue to be monitored to assess emergency shelter needs for people experiencing homelessness.

Severe Weather Shelter Locations

All shelters below serve all genders and are for adults (18+)

  • This severe winter weather shelter location is now closed: Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center (Operated by Salvation Army)
    • Capacity: 150 guests
    • Hours: Open nightly at 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (*Extended through January 3 at 7 a.m.)
    • Non-aggressive leashed dogs and cats under owner control allowed. The Seattle Center campus hygiene station will be accessible. The Armory opens daily at 10am for day warming.
    • Served directly by Metro Bus routes 3, 4, 5, 8, 16, 28, RapidRide E Line, and nearby routes include: 1, 13, and RapidRide D Line.
  • This severe winter weather shelter location is now closed: Compass Housing Alliance Shelter in Pioneer Square
    • Capacity: 80 guests
    • Hours: Open nightly at 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (*Extended through January 3 at 7 a.m.)
    • Service animals only at this location. Day Center also available at this location.
    • Served by nearby public transit services (1-3 blocks away): Seattle Streetcar, Link Light Rail, routes 21, 29, 55, 56, 57, 101, 102, 111, 113, 114, 120, 121, 115, 150, 162, 177, 190, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 550, 554, RapidRide C, ST 590, ST 592, ST 594, ST 595, ST 577, ST 578, PT 410, PT, 415, PT 417, PT 422, PT 424, and Washington State Ferries.
  • This severe winter weather shelter location is now closed: Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes (Operated by Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle)
    • Capacity: 70 guests
    • Hours: No longer accepting new guests
    • Meals provided by OSL
  • West Seattle (Operated by American Legion Post 160 and faith-based network volunteers)
    • Capacity: 16 guests
    • Hours: Open 24 Hours
    • Adults 18+
  • God’s Lil Acre (Operated by Lake City Partners).
    • Capacity: 15-20 guests
    • Hours: Night Shelter open 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., Day Center open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Seattle Mennonite Church (Operated by Lake City Partners).
    • Capacity: 25-35 guests
    • Hours: Open nightly at 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Emergency shelter spaces are following COVID-19 safety and screening protocols for guests, including added air filtration, physical distancing, and increased sanitation and hygiene. Providers will also follow public health isolation protocols for any symptomatic guests.

Daytime Warming Locations

Note: As of January, 2, 2022, many severe weather day warming locations closed. The following locations no longer offer daytime warming center functions and have closed or returned to normal operations.

  • Day warming has ended at Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes (Operated by Seattle Urban League)
    • Address: 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.
    • Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (overnight shelter 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
  • Day warming has ended at International District/Chinatown Community Center
    • Address: 719 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
    • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday (Jan. 1): 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. is normal closing); Sunday (Jan. 2): 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed).
  • Day warming has ended at Magnuson Park Building #406
    • Hours: Monday and Tuesday 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday (Jan. 1) and Sunday (Jan. 2): 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed).
  • Day warming has ended at Northgate Community Center
    • Address: 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125. Phone: 206-386-4823
    • Hours: M-F: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday (Jan. 1) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed), Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed).
  • Day warming has ended at Rainier Beach Community Center
    • Address: 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. Phone: 206-386-1925
    • Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday (Dec. 31) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally 6:30 p.m.), Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm. 206-386-1925 NOTE: Rainer Beach Community Center will be CLOSED Saturday and Sunday 1/1 – 1/2/2022
  • Day warming has ended at Lake City Community Center (added on 12/30)
    • Address: 12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125.
    • Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Community members seeking places to come inside during the day are encouraged to utilize public spaces available for all, such as Seattle Public Libraries and the Seattle Center Armory. Existing day center programs (including the one operated by Compass Housing in Pioneer Square), are open and offering support year-round for people experiencing homelessness. Click HERE for a full list of sites.

If you need shelter or connections to services, call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274. The King County Regional Homelessness Authority Cold Weather Shelter notice provides additional resources and guidance. Parents or guardians caring for one or more children 18 years or younger can get help identifying emergency shelter by calling the Coordinated Family Intake Line at 206-245-1026 between 8 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., 365-days a year. In addition, the YWCA’s women and family shelter intake line can be reached at 206-461-4882. For an emergency, call 9-1-1.

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. The HOPE Team, in coordination with Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Fire Department’s Health One and Seattle Police Department’s Community Service Officers, are conducting welfare visits, sharing shelter location information, helping people connect to transportation options to shelter locations, and supporting efforts to distribute weather supplies including handwarmers, emergency blankets, hats, and gloves.

Severe weather operation and response updates from other HSD Divisions include:

  • Home Delivered Meal programs are tracking the weather and coordinating any delivery changes with drivers and clients to ensure all clients have sufficient meals during the weather event.
  • Medicaid case management program staff have been alerted to weather issues that could impact clients through the holiday weekend and into next week. Updated case lists will be distributed to assist teams with identifying and contacting clients most in need of planning and resources.
  • Other aging network programs, including Senior Centers and Congregate Meals programs, have been operating hybrid models (in-person, virtual, delivery) due to the pandemic. Severe weather and holiday schedules may impact operations.

Emergency Severe Weather Shelter Guests:

Shelter Census 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30 12/31 1/1 1/2 Total 
Compass Housing 28 81 54 51 55 53 41  *21  32 416
Exhibition Hall 59 107 132 142 142 134 118  157 130 1,121
City Hall X X 30 52 55 70 62  68 *60 397
West Seattle X X 12 11 11 16 15  18 15 98
Seattle Mennonite Church X 10 14 15 13 10 6  7 9 84
God’s Lil Acre X 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0
Totals 87 198 242 271 276 283 242  271 246 2,116
(duplicated)
Capacity 180 265 351 371 371 371 371  379 379 
* Indicates a preliminary count that may be updated later as it was taken prior to midnight instead of the morning of closure

Additional Resources

As conditions evolve through the week, here are additional resources for the latest City winter response and weather information:

ICYMI: City of Seattle Provides 9,392 Cash Assistance Grants to Income-Eligible Families through the Seattle Relief Fund

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Additional 3,300 Seattle immigrant and refugees received cash assistance

Last week, the City of Seattle in partnership with several nonprofit organizations announced that it has provided 5,257 individuals and 4,135 households with direct cash assistance through its Seattle Relief Fund. This fund was created to support vulnerable income-eligible Seattle residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the Omicron variant now here in King County, we know that COVID-19 is far from done with us, which is why we continue to launch programs to aid residents, households, and small businesses that continue to feel the impacts from this pandemic,” said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “Nearly 50 community organizations focused on equitable outreach both in-person and over-the-phone to help thousands apply for this crucial funding, and now, more than ever this cash assistance will help pay for groceries, bills, and housing.”

Of the applicants, 5,585 adults received $1,000 awards, 827 two-adult households received a payment of $2,000, and 2,980 households with children or adult dependents received a payment of $3,000. The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) and Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) both managed the Seattle Relief Fund, with the planning process starting in July of this year and the official application having launched on Monday, October 25. In the three weeks that the application was open, the program received 63,672 submissions.

Seattle-based tech nonprofit organization Scholar Fund (SF) managed the application process. According to SF’s analysis of the applications, a majority of households who received funding (61.1%) experienced a death, hospitalization, or long-term health impact or crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A vast majority of awardees (92.4%) experienced some form of recent housing instability, including the inability to pay rent/mortgage and/or having to move out of their home. Also 82.7% of all applicants reported a lost a job or loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

As many of our neighbors continue to be impacted by the pandemic, it is a priority of City Council to get relief directly into the hands of COVID-19-impacted households and individuals. This week, thousands of individuals directly experienced the Seattle Rescue Plan policy and values in action and received much needed direct cash relief as year three of life with COVID-19 fast approaches. It was an honor to secure this funding for Seattle residents and artists, and I want to thank the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, the Human Services Department, and our community partners for their quick work to both stand up a process and efficiently award funds.

Seattle City Council President M. Lorena González (Position 9, Citywide)

The SRF’s design and implementation by both City departments was rooted in collaborative innovation with the community. SRF integrated feedback and ideas from dozens of community-based organizations throughout all phases of the project, including determining eligibility, formulating the application, and launching the outreach and engagement campaign.

“We were honored to help with the disbursement of money through the Seattle Relief Fund. Through the process, we witnessed first-hand the number of people financial assistance could positively impact,” said Vivian Hua, Executive Director of Northwest Film Forum, a Seattle Relief Fund community organization partner. “The SRF community outreach efforts were innovative, smooth, and offered a replicable model for centering communities that are often difficult to reach.”

“The overwhelming response that we received from our Seattle Relief Fund outreach activities indicates the impact that COVID-19 continues to have on those living in the Seattle area,” said Violet Lavatai, representing APICAT another SRF community partner. “APICAT for Health appreciates having the opportunity to partner with the City of Seattle, Mayor Durkan, HSD, OIRA, Scholar Fund, and the other community organizations involved in this effort to support individuals and families during this holiday season. Our collective effort serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when we work together.”

The source of the Seattle Relief Fund dollars was from a $25 million appropriation dubbed the Seattle Rescue Plan, passed by Mayor Durkan and the Seattle City Council in June 2021. The intention of SRF was to prioritize Seattle residents who have disproportionately experienced the economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, including self-employed artists/cultural workers, people unable to access state unemployment/federal stimulus funds, and those who had no health insurance or are experiencing housing instability or mental health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The work done on the Seattle Relief Fund activates a critical safety net for those most impacted by the pandemic. HSD connects people to resources and solutions during times of need, and SRF provides a significant infusion of resources that support a more equitable recovery for Seattle’s most vulnerable and low-income. This collaborative effort is also a great example of HSD’s focus on building partnerships between public agencies and the community that lead to innovative solutions that support people’s right to thrive.

Tanya Kim, HSD’s Acting Director

The Seattle Relief Fund application was available online in six additional languages (Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese), with 30.7% of all forms submitted in those languages. Additionally, of all applications awarded, 78.4% of recipients identified as BIPOC.

“I continued to be so inspired by the commitment and innovation across the city and our communities. Together, we stepped up to launch this important program, reaching applicants in all but two Seattle ZIP codes. It’s such a great feeling to know that families will have a brighter holiday,” said Cuc Vu, Director of OIRA. “Seattle once again shows its leadership as a welcoming city that continues to center the needs of our most vulnerable communities. Big thanks also to Scholar Fund who quickly processed and reviewed the over 63,000 submitted applications. This is government and community collaboration at its best!”

Prior to the Seattle Relief Fund, OIRA disbursed $5,807,000 in direct cash assistance specifically to low-income immigrants ineligible for federal stimulus payments. These immigrants received financial aid from last year’s Seattle COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund for Immigrants (SDRF) and were able to apply through a separate recertification process that began August 2021. OIRA again partnered with Scholar Fund, which sent out text and email notifications and even made phone calls to last year’s awardees. Of the original 3,705 who submitted SDRF applications in 2020, 89% were eligible for continued aid. Individuals and households who received payments as part of the 2021 SDRF recertification process were not eligible to apply for the Seattle Relief Fund.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the City of Seattle has worked quickly to launch COVID-19 testing sites, vaccination clinics, and relief programs including rent relief, expanding shelter for people experiencing homelessness, grocery vouchers for working families, and financial assistance to small businesses. Residents and businesses can find a list of existing COVID-19 relief resources and policies at this website: seattle.gov/covid-19.

City of Seattle Nightly Severe Weather Shelters Open at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and Compass Housing Pioneer Square to Serve People Experiencing Homelessness

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**Click here for a new post with the latest info and updated flyer (12/30/2021 – 1/2/2022)

*Post last updated on 1/3/2022

Severe weather shelters are closing on 1/3/2022. Together, with contracted severe weather shelter providers and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the City was able to make sure that on approximately 2,100 (duplicated) occasions between December 25th and January 3rd, people in our community didn’t have to sleep outside in severe cold, snow, and freezing temperatures.

In anticipation of increasing low temperatures and potential snow over the coming days, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), will open emergency Severe Weather Shelters from Saturday, December 25th through Wednesday, December 29th. Forecasts will be monitored to assess emergency shelter needs for people experiencing homelessness beyond the morning of Thursday the 30th.

The Salvation Army and Compass Housing Alliance will manage operations and staffing, with support from city staff and partners.

The shelters, located at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and Compass Housing Alliance Shelter in Pioneer Square, will open nightly at 7pm starting December 25th. They will continue operations through Wednesday, December 29th, providing an additional 180 – 200 emergency shelter spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness.

  • This severe winter weather shelter location is now closed: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall – Operated by Salvation Army
    • 301 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109
      • Enter though main entrance off Mercer Street and go down the stairs. Serves 150 people, all genders, 18+ years, non-aggressive leashed dogs and cats under owner control allowed. The Seattle Center campus hygiene station will be accessible. The Armory opens daily at 10am for day warming.
      • Served directly by Metro Bus routes 3, 4, 5, 8, 16, 28, RapidRide E Line, and nearby routes include: 1, 13, and RapidRide D Line.
  • This severe winter weather shelter location is now closed: Compass Housing Alliance Shelter in Pioneer Square
    • 210 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98104
      • Enter at the corner of So. Washington and Alaskan Way. Serves 80+ people, all genders, 18+ years, service animals only at this location. Day Center also available at this location.
      • Served by nearby public transit services (1-3 blocks away): Seattle Streetcar, Link Light Rail, routes 21, 29, 55, 56, 57, 101, 102, 111, 113, 114, 120, 121, 115, 150, 162, 177, 190, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 550, 554, RapidRide C, ST 590, ST 592, ST 594, ST 595, ST 577, ST 578, PT 410, PT, 415, PT 417, PT 422, PT 424, and Washington State Ferries.
  • This severe winter weather shelter location is now closed: Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes (Operated by Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle)
    • 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (enter on 5th Ave).
      • Open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm as needed through January 2, 2022.  Meals by Operation Sack Lunch, Occupancy: 25-30 guests.  
  • West Seattle (Operated by American Legion Post 160 and faith-based network volunteers) 
    • 3618 Southwest Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98126, 206-932-9696  
      • Occupancy: 16 guests, adults 18+, now open 24/7 through severe weather
  • God’s Lil Acre (Operated by Lake City Partners). 
    • 12517 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
      • Night shelter open 9pm – 9am, day center open 9am – 5pm, Occupancy: 15-20 guests
  • Seattle Mennonite Church (Operated by Lake City Partners). 
    • 3120 NE 125th St, Seattle, WA 98125, 206-361-4630
      • Night shelter opens starting 12/26, 9pm – 9am, Occupancy: 25-35 guests    

Emergency shelter spaces will follow COVID-19 safety and screening protocols for guests, including added air filtration, physical distancing, and increased sanitation and hygiene. Providers will also follow public health isolation protocols for any symptomatic guests.

Community members seeking places to come inside during the day are encouraged to utilize public spaces available for all, such as Seattle Public Libraries and the Seattle Center Armory. Day centers (including the one operated by Compass Housing in Pioneer Square), existing programs open and offering support year-round for people experiencing homelessness. Year-round service provider day centers are identified on City’s Hygiene Map, which can be filtered to show day center locations across the city. HSD will continue to share updated lists as additional day and center or warming locations are identified by agencies involved in emergency response functions.  

City coordinated warming locations open for severe weather this December:

Daytime Warming Locations

Note: As of January, 2, 2022, many severe weather day warming locations closed. The following locations no longer offer daytime warming center functions and have closed or returned to normal operations as of 1/2/2022

  • Day warming has ended at Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes (Operated by Seattle Urban League)
    • Address: 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.
    • Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (overnight shelter 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
  • Day warming has ended at International District/Chinatown Community Center
    • Address: 719 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
    • Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday (Jan. 1): 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. is normal closing); Sunday (Jan. 2): 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed).
  • Day warming has ended at Magnuson Park Building #406
    • Hours: Monday and Tuesday 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday (Jan. 1) and Sunday (Jan. 2): 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed).
  • Day warming has ended at Northgate Community Center
    • Address: 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125. Phone: 206-386-4823
    • Hours: M-F: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday (Jan. 1) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed), Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally closed).
  • Day warming has ended at Rainier Beach Community Center
    • Address: 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. Phone: 206-386-1925
    • Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday (Dec. 31) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normally 6:30 p.m.), Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm. 206-386-1925 NOTE: Rainer Beach Community Center will be CLOSED Saturday and Sunday 1/1 – 1/2/2022
  • Day warming has ended at Lake City Community Center (added on 12/30)
    • Address: 12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125.
    • Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Note: as of Thursday, December 30th, all Seattle Parks programs and facilities will be closed except for the Parks operated warming centers listed above. Seattle Public Libraries: All library branches will be closed today 12/30, but plan to open tomorrow, 12/31.

If you are in need of shelter, call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274. The King County Regional Homelessness Authority Cold Weather Shelter notice provides addition resources and guidance. Parents or guardians caring for one or more child 18 years or younger can get help identifying emergency shelter by calling the Coordinated Family Intake Line at 206-245-1026 between 8am – 11:30pm, 365-days a year. In addition, the YWCA’s women and family shelter intake line can be reached at 206-461-4882. For an emergency, call 9-1-1.

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. The HOPE Team, along with SPD and SPR staff members, will also help people connect to transportation options for individuals travelling to shelter locations. Available staff from the Seattle Fire Department’s Health One team will conduct welfare visits to people living unsheltered and support efforts to distribute weather supplies including handwarmers, emergency blankets, hats, and gloves, and to share shelter location information.

Severe weather operation and response updates from other HSD Divisions include:

  • Home Delivered Meal programs are tracking the weather and coordinating any delivery changes with drivers and clients to ensure all clients have sufficient meals during the weather event.
  • Medicaid case management program staff have been alerted to weather issues that could impact clients through the holiday weekend and into next week. Updated case lists will be distributed to assist teams with identifying and contacting clients most in need of planning and resources.
  • Other aging network programs, including Senior Centers and Congregate Meals programs, have been operating hybrid models (in-person, virtual, delivery) due to the pandemic. Severe weather and holiday schedules may impact operations.

The City and HSD have been working hard to stand up new 24/7 enhanced shelters and tiny house villages over the fall and winter, opening 350 new non-congregate shelter spaces in the last three months alone. The City anticipates funding over 2,800 total shelter spaces by the end of the year, a 700-shelter unit increase over last year’s levels (Q4 2020). Additionally, 92% of City-funded shelter spaces are now 24/7 enhanced with wraparound onsite services – this compares to 75% pre-pandemic (Q4 2019).

Emergency Severe Weather Shelter Guests:

Shelter Census 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30 12/31 1/1 1/2 Total 
Compass Housing 28 81 54 51 55 53 41  *21  32 416
Exhibition Hall 59 107 132 142 142 134 118  157 130 1,121
City Hall X X 30 52 55 70 62  68 *60 397
West Seattle X X 12 11 11 16 15  18 15 98
Seattle Mennonite Church X 10 14 15 13 10 6  7 9 84
God’s Lil Acre X 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0
Totals 87 198 242 271 276 283 242  271 246 2,116
(duplicated)
Capacity 180 265 351 371 371 371 371  379 379 
* Indicates a preliminary count that may be updated later as it was taken prior to midnight instead of the morning of closure

HSD Releases 2022 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

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Chief Sealth head graphic from City of Seattle logo

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to issue its 2022 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) related to the following investments:

  1. Farm to Table Support Services
  2. Youth and Young Adult Behavioral Health
  3. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Victim Services
  4. Batterer Intervention Services
  5. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Legal Services

This notice provides an overview of HSD’s impending funding opportunities for 2022 with a brief description of the service areas for each opportunity, anticipated funding amounts, release dates, and contract start dates. Once finalized, HSD will issue detailed funding opportunities for each investment.

HSD invests in services that connect people with resources and solutions in times of need so we can all live, learn, work, and take part in strong, healthy communities. Guided by HSD’s Theory of Change, funding opportunities will include both population level and racial disparity data and will outline the desired results of the investment. In 2022, HSD will include new questions focused on a) language access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and b) program and service accessibility for individuals for whom English is a second language.

HSD recognizes reducing racial and social disparities may require organizations to collaborate and develop a shared strategy to serve our diverse population. HSD is particularly interested in partnerships that are co-designed and formalized through subcontract arrangements. Partnerships should reflect an equitable division of funding, a focus on strengthening the capacity of partners, a commitment to collecting and using data, and the leveraging of investments by other public or private organizations committed to the project. Any application outlining a partnership will require partner agency signature and may require a memorandum of understanding between agencies.

This notice also links to resources to help potential applicants learn more about HSD’s investment priorities and standard application requirements.

In the event of budget additions through Mayoral or City Council budget appropriations, HSD may elect to modify existing contracts until such contracts require a new funding process, or HSD may develop a new funding opportunity to expend the additional funds. HSD recommends parties interested in applying for HSD funds review the Department’s Funding Opportunities Webpage regularly and subscribe to the HSD Funding Opportunities email list.

Benu Community Home and Friendship Heights Tiny House Village Open

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The City of Seattle has opened over 350 new units of non-congregate shelter over the last three months

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced the opening of two new shelters for people experiencing homelessness, Benu Community Home, a 24/7 enhanced shelter, and Friendship Heights Tiny House Village. Together, they are anticipated to serve over 200 people experiencing homelessness providing wraparound onsite services and a pathway to permanent housing. These projects continue the recent surge in investments by the City to provide safe spaces for hundreds of people living unsheltered during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and as winter approaches.

Benu Community Home

Benu Community Home, located at the former Keiro Rehabilitation and Care Center (1607 Yesler Way), will be operated by Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) and will serve up to 150 male-identifying adults once fully operational in the first quarter of 2022. The program is 24/7 and will provide onsite wraparound services including case management, behavioral health supports, substance use disorder supports, housing navigation, and employment assistance.

Guest room configurations are single, double, triple, and quad, and are equipped with locker storage space, a bathroom that includes toilet and sink, and a multi-stall shower room on resident floors. The facility is ADA-accessible, and three meals are provided daily.

  • Bedroom
  • Sitting area
Photos of Benu Community Home living spaces provided by Africatown Community Land Trust

Through culturally appropriate services, the program aims to address the over-representation of people identifying as Black or African American in the homelessness system. According to the 2020 Point in Time Count, while those who are Black or African American make up 7% of King County’s population, they represent 25% of those experiencing homelessness. Referrals into the program will be accepted from HSD’s HOPE Team and other providers.  

In September, ACLT led a three-part community engagement meeting process with interested stakeholders and neighbors designed to incorporate feedback from community, including the Japanese American and Asian communities, into the design of the program. Community engagement activities by ACLT and the City also included community meetings and the distribution of flyers on the program to neighbors and nearby businesses. 

Friendship Heights Tiny House Village 

The new Friendship Heights Tiny House Village is located at 12245 Aurora Ave. N. on property owned by the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and will provide 47 new tiny houses. LIHI has established a religious sponsorship for the program with Epic Life Church and Seattle Foursquare Church.

  • Volunteers from BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network)
  • Row of tiny houses
Photos of Friendship Heights Tiny House Village provided by LIHI

This is the final of three tiny house village projects approved as part of the 2021 budget to come online within the last two months and provide a total of 113 new village shelter units. Last month, Rosie’s Tiny House Village in the University District opened providing 36 new tiny houses that can serve up to 50 people experiencing homelessness. On November 16, the expansion of the existing Interbay Tiny House Village was completed providing 30 new units and bringing the total number of tiny houses at Interbay to 70. 

Shelter referrals into Friendship Heights will be made by HSD’s HOPE Team based on shelter recommendations from their outreach provider partners. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will be formed to provide community input on operations and address concerns. The CAC will meet monthly, and members often include immediate neighbors, businesses, community and faith groups, and service providers.  

HSD will maintain oversight of these two programs through the end of the year. Beginning in 2022, the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will take on administration of their budgets and contracts. The City opened its first tiny house village in 2017 and now funds ten villages providing 410 units of shelter.

By the end of the year, the City-funded system is anticipated to include 2,837 units of shelter, an increase of over 530 beds over pre-pandemic levels (Q4 2019).

**This post was originally published on the Homelessness Response blog.

Final Draft 2022 Annual Action Plan

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Chief Sealth head graphic from City of Seattle logo

The City of Seattle announces the release of the Final Draft 2022 Annual Action Plan (AAP) to the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. The Draft 2022 AAP includes guidance for the allocation of an estimated $17.8 million of federal grant and program revenue funds [$9,607,578 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $4,304,865 in HOME program funds, $801,321 in Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG) funds, and $3,150,304 in Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds] from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The 2022 Annual Action Plan responds to HUD requirements for the City of Seattle to access these funds. It describes the allocations of these funds to address housing, homeless services, community development, and economic development needs of the City’s low and moderate income residents and neighborhoods.

We invite the public to submit comments about this report via email to blockgrants@seattle.gov.

The Final Draft 2022 AAP is available now on the Seattle Human Services Department website for review or download.

Expansion of Interbay Tiny House Village Provides 30 New Units of Shelter

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Expansion continues the City’s successful partnership with the Port of Seattle

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced the completion of the planned expansion of Interbay Tiny House Village, adding a new hygiene station and 30 new units of shelter which will serve up to an additional 35 people. This project is a continuation of the partnership between the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle, and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), first established in 2017.

Interbay Tiny House Village, located on Port of Seattle’s property at 1601 15th Ave W, will now provide a total of 76 tiny houses with capacity to serve up to 90 people. The program provides 24/7 staffing, on-site case managers, behavioral health services, security, a community kitchen, on-site hygiene, and laundry.

A cameraman films as volunteers build and paint new units in a tiny house village

This is the second of three tiny house village projects approved as part of the 2021 budget to come online in recent weeks and which will provide a total of 113 new village shelter units. Last month, Rosie’s Tiny House Village in the University District opened providing 36 new tiny houses that can serve up to 50 people experiencing homelessness. The new Friendship Heights Tiny House Village in North Seattle is anticipated to open 47 units by the end of November.

“This year, we’ve opened hundreds of safer 24/7 shelter spaces including hotels and tiny homes to move people off the streets and into safer places. In the coming months, we will continue addressing the scale of the crisis through long-term investments that will bring online hundreds of permanent homes and more 24/7 shelter spaces,” said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “There is more work to be done, but these life-saving investments will bring hundreds of households inside to safer spaces this winter while providing an essential pathway to housing.”

“HSD staff continue to work tirelessly to bring hundreds of new shelter resources online as winter approaches and the department’s homelessness investments role winds down with the start of the new King County Regional Homeless Authority next year. This challenging work during the ongoing pandemic, has resulted in more shelter options that provide 24/7 enhanced wraparound onsite services to help a person end their experience with homelessness,” said Tanya Kim, Acting Director of HSD. “I want to thank the many partners who made this project a success including Mayor Durkan, the Port of Seattle, LIHI, Councilmember Lewis, Finance and Administrative Services (FAS), and everyone who supported this program for those most in need.”

“Affordable housing is the only solution to homelessness. But it is plain to see we need immediate, temporary options for people living outside that are safe and secure,” City Councilmember Andrew Lewis said. “Many thanks to our City staff and non-profit partners for their work standing up this critical resource to help people on their path to housing.”

“LIHI is pleased to be able to provide an additional 35 individuals and couples safe, heated, welcoming tiny houses at our Interbay Village,” said Sharon Lee, Executive Director of LIHI. “We are grateful to the Port of Seattle for making this expansion site available. We want to thank Mayor Durkan, Councilmember Lewis, and Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman for their visionary leadership. It took the hard work of many people at the Port, HSD, FAS and LIHI working together to make today possible. With this expansion, Interbay Village can serve as a bridge to permanent housing for some 90 individuals and couples.”

“The Port of Seattle is pleased to partner with the City of Seattle and the community to help address the homelessness crisis in our region,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. “Expanding the Tsubota village to make room for more tiny homes will help even more people get the shelter and the help they need so they can transition successfully into permanent housing.”

Shelter referrals into the village will be made by HSD’s HOPE Team based on shelter recommendations from their outreach provider partners. Interbay’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will continue to meet monthly to provide community input on operations and address concerns. The CAC members often include immediate neighbors, businesses, community and faith groups, and service providers.

The City has leased the existing site from the Port of Seattle since November 2017. Since the village’s opening, more than 246 households/people have been served, with approximately 35% of all exits going into permanent housing.

HSD will maintain oversight of this project through the end of the year. Beginning in 2022, the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will take on administration of the homelessness budget and contracts, including all three new village projects opening this year. The City opened its first tiny house village in 2017 and now funds nine villages providing 363 units of shelter.

By the end of the year, the City funded system will include 2,837 units of shelter, an increase of over 530 beds over pre-pandemic levels (Q4 2019).

**This post was updated to include a quote from Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman