The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the Supportive Reentry RFP which closed November 5, 2021. Last year, thanks to the recommendations of the Equitable Communities Initiative Task Force, $1,383,000 in City of Seattle General Fund was allocated to funding culturally appropriate reentry services and rerooting… [ Keep reading ]
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… [ Keep reading ]
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… [ Keep reading ]
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.”
