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.
The City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) and the Downtown Emergency Services Center (DESC) today announced the Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center (301 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109) will be activated as a preventative measure to best align with Public Health Seattle-King County guidance (PHSKC) in response to COVID-19. The Exhibition Hall will open on Monday, March 9. At this time, there are no known COVID-19 cases at the DESC Main Shelter or any other Seattle shelter at the time. This announcement is one of many steps City and County officials are taking to address COVID-19, with more announcements likely in the future. The Exhibition Hall is most often activated during severe weather events and is part of the City’s overall public health response planning. The Exhibition Hall shelter will be available for agency-selected DESC Main Shelter clients—one of the busiest and largest overnight shelters in Seattle serving a high number of vulnerable individuals—in an effort to limit potential COVID-19 exposure. Some individuals from DESC’s Queen Anne shelter may be moved as well. DESC is identifying male clients that can be served at the Exhibition Hall, which will accommodate people that are relatively healthy and able to access services independently. Additionally, the City is taking steps to ensure sanitation and hygiene standards at Seattle shelters are in alignment with updated recommendations from the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) and PHSKC.
As reported by the Office of the Mayor today… Following Tuesday’s Proclamation of Civil Emergency, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan unveiled new measures in the City of Seattle to prepare for the potential spread of COVID-19 amongst individuals experiencing homelessness by increasing shelter resources during this public health emergency. “We know we need to take additional measures to bring more of our unsheltered community inside. Our neighbors experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19, and as a City, region, and Country we must act with urgency to address the ongoing impacts of this public health crisis,” said Mayor Durkan. “Working in partnership with public health officials and King County, we will continue to work with providers to help individuals currently in our shelters as well as expand shelter locations and resources for our most vulnerable individuals.”
The Homeless Strategy & Investment (HSI) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in providing services for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) homeless individuals.
Today we want to help more Seattle residents stay informed about COVID-19 by sharing this excellent blog post by Joaquin Uy from the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs which showcases community-reviewed translations of important Public Health recommendations as part of their mission to expand language access for Seattle residents:
The World Health Organization reminds everyone that the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the flu, and other communicable diseases is by following basic hygiene steps regularly: Wash your hands frequently Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze (and… [ Keep reading ]
The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from organizations and coalitions interested in providing services to support Native/Indigenous people returning to their communities after incarceration. This funding opportunity was developed from the City of Seattle’s Reentry Workgroup led by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR’s vision is to liberate people in communities where systems of racism, oppression, and colonization historically held and/or continue to hold power and thrive. This request for proposal (RFP) process is a collaboration between OCR and HSD. This RFP is focused on reentry investments through Native/Indigenous-led community healing practices. Native/Indigenous-led healing 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.
The Washington State Department of Health announced several new cases of COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus, in King and Snohomish Counties. The first case was announced in Seattle on March 1, 2020. You can learn of new developments in the days and weeks ahead by visiting Public Health — Seattle King County and Washington State Department of Health. We are providing information on what the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is doing in preparation and in response to COVID-19 in communities across Seattle and King County. If a significant expansion of services is required, the City will also need significant resources from the state and federal government will be necessary to assist our most vulnerable.
