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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Building on announcements made earlier in the week, yesterday morning Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced the deployment and maintenance of six hygiene facilities throughout the City, which augment the more than 128 Seattle Parks comfort stations that remain open for hygiene needs. 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. Beginning today, the City will deploy and maintain 14 toilets and 6 handwashing stations near City Hall Park, Lake City Community Center, Jefferson Park, Westcrest Park, Cal Anderson Park, and Benvenuto Viewpoint. All areas are in close proximity to individuals experiencing homelessness. This is in addition to the more than 128 locations in parks throughout the City, available to all residents, and are currently being serviced by Seattle Parks and Recreation. The new facilities will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days per week. Daily maintenance will be provided including sharps disposal, waste removal and supplemental cleaning.
Facing an unprecedented public health crisis, the City of Seattle and King County announced yesterday that we are working with partners across the region to create additional shelter space and a range of temporary housing options for people who are unable to isolate and recover in their own homes, or… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle has been working to provide more resources for people living unsheltered leading up to and during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The City’s Human Services Department (HSD) has been in close partnership with the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), Public Health Seattle King County (PHSKC), and City departments to stand up critical resources and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Over on the King County Department of Community and Health Services blog, Cultivating Connections, yesterday’s entry details how in response to COVID-19 three agencies are closely coordinating efforts and collaborating to support King County residents experiencing homelessness: Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) and its Healthcare for the Homeless Network (HCHN) and Environment Health Division; King County through the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), Facilities Management Division (FMD), and METRO; and the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD). Coordinated efforts focus on: Supporting existing homeless services providers to maintain capacity and care for people experiencing homelessness Hygiene and sanitation to prevent or slow the spread of the virus, including provider training and centralized supply purchasing and distribution Response plan for assistance for people who become sick with COVID-19 who cannot care for themselves in home settings Siting and staffing facilities for quarantine, isolation and congregate recovery—for all who cannot care for themselves in home settings, including people experiencing homelessness.
