Shelter and Housing

Service Centers

The City of Seattle funds a number of centers that provide clients with shower and laundry facilities as well as referrals to other services -- such as housing and health care -- that promote healthy, independent living. Some centers also provide on-site hot meals, storage space, employment referrals, and drug/alcohol counseling.

Service centers play an important role in the referral process. Clients are homeless single adult men and women who have no or very low incomes, and many receive or have applied for some form of public assistance such as Disability Lifeline, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or unemployment compensation. Many suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. Others are experiencing personal and family problems such as domestic violence, abuse, neglect, illness, addiction, injury, job loss and eviction.

The City of Seattle started funding service centers in 1982. City of Seattle General Funds and federal Housing and Urban Development funds provide support for nonprofit, community-based organizations to operate hygiene and day centers, primarily for homeless individuals. Funding during funding cycles depends upon program performance and funding availability. The 2013 allocation is $3.2 million.

2013 Funded Agencies and Programs

• Casa Latina - Day Worker Center
• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington - Lazarus Day Center
• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington - Women's Wellness Center
• Church of Mary Magdalene - Mary's Place Day Center
• Compass Housing Alliance - Adult Day Service Center
• Downtown Emergency Service Center - Connections
• Immanuel Community Services - Hygiene Center
• Low Income Housing Institute - Urban Rest Stop
• Pike Market Senior Center - Senior Homeless Intervention and Placement
• Seattle Indian Center - Community Drop-In Center
• YWCA of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County - Angeline's Day/Hygiene Center

Information

For more information about service centers for homeless people, please contact the agencies listed above or the 211 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

If you don't need a service center but you have questions about Seattle Human Services Department program policy, call 206-684-0266 or e-mail emergencyservices@seattle.gov.

Seattle Human Services Department
Street address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800, Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address: PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Phone: 206-386-1001
Fax: 206-233-5119
TTY/TTD: 206-233-2778

Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.