Expanding shelter capacity is one of the most effective things we can do to bring people inside and address Seattle’s homelessness crisis. Mayor Katie Wilson recently announced her shelter action plan that commits to adding 960 beds over 2026 and 2027. HSD continues to lead these efforts, while also partnering with City departments to keep people from losing their housing, and to make it easier for those most in need to quickly access support and care. Approximately 1,760 people will be served annually.
How we’re meeting the call to expand shelter
Building on steps taken earlier this year to speed up shelter expansion, Mayor Wilson’s plan will increase capacity by up to 1,000 shelters by the end of 2027, compared to the start of 2026.
Read the action plan executive summary.
The first part of the plan expands shelter capacity by investing in new units, accelerating openings already in the pipeline, and preserving existing units at risk of closing. The City invests in shelters that fall under four service types:
- Essential – programs focused on overnight shelter. Beyond a bed, services are limited and, in certain instances, the programs themselves are client-operated.
- Enhanced – programs focused on bringing people indoors to support future housing placements. Shelter staff provide case management that is centered on housing navigation.
- Enriched – programs that offer housing-focused case management and also have defined partnerships with other providers for enhanced services based on client needs (medical, behavioral health, legal services, childcare, etc.). Intention is to ensure clients with higher acuity needs are equipped to continue supports post-housing placement.
- Complex – programs focused on addressing immediate needs beyond only housing. These programs are funded to meet the highest acuity need. Staff provide case management and embedded, on-site services tailored to individuals’ complex needs (behavioral health, medical, legal services, etc.).
Investing in the necessary supportive services
Shelters provide more than a safe place to sleep. Depending on the needs of the people being served, the second part of Mayor Wilson’s plan outlines how new shelter investments will include case management and housing navigation as well as several programs with specialized behavioral health, medical care, substance-use treatment, and legal services.
The 2026 King County Point-in-Time Count found that 33 percent of individuals experiencing homelessness report having a substance use disorder while 27 percent indicate the presence of serious mental illness. This data shows the need for shelter that provides more support for people with complex behavioral health needs. The plan includes shelter models designed to include that level of care.
The plan also helps people get help faster by improving the Unified Care Team’s outreach to those living unsheltered and incorporating the successes of the Streets-to-Housing pilot in Pioneer Square and similar efforts in Ballard.
Early help to prevent homelessness
More residents need help before they lose their housing. Eviction filings have continued to rise sharply since the pandemic, reaching record-high levels in each of the past two years. Homelessness also increased 9% in King County from 2024 to 2026 according to the Point-in-Time Count. Research shows that rental assistance is a proven and cost-effective way to prevent homelessness and reduce the need for crisis services later.
Mayor Wilson’s proposed budget includes $11.2 million in 2027 for homelessness prevention, with a goal of helping more than 2,000 at-risk households remain housed. The investment includes rental assistance, case management, and legal assistance.