2026 Shelter Expansion Roster RFQ
Creating a Roster to Expedite Emergency Shelter Expansion
The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) Homelessness Division is seeking qualifications from organizations interested in:
- Managing the development of emergency shelters;
- Providing operations at emergency shelters that offer participant services; and/or
- Providing behavioral health care at emergency shelters that treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
The 2026 Shelter Expansion Roster Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is guided by Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s Executive Order (EO) 2026-02 to accelerate shelter expansion. This RFQ will further this aim by establishing a roster of qualified organizations to provide emergency shelter development, emergency shelter operations, and behavioral health care at emergency shelters. Organizations may apply for one or more areas. Organizations applying for more than one area must demonstrate that they have sufficient staffing for each area of work.
HSD will not award funding through this RFQ. There is no limit on the number of organizations that may qualify for the roster, and placement on the roster does not guarantee funding.
As funding and shelter locations become available, HSD will invite organizations on the roster to participate in a separate competitive application process for shelter projects. Only organizations that qualify for the roster will be eligible to receive those invitations.
Who Should Apply
HSD welcomes applications from any legally constituted organization that meets HSD Agency Minimum Eligibility Requirements and any additional requirements outlined in the Guidelines and Application.
How We Evaluate Applications
A rating panel made up of subject matter experts including government and system partners, nonprofit staff and community members will review and score application materials using the Application Rating Criteria and will submit roster recommendations to the HSD Department Director.
In-Language Support
Currently, HSD only has capacity to accept applications in English. We recognize the importance of providing in-language support to our communities. If you need language assistance, please contact Funding Process Coordinators at Leslea.Bowling2@seattle.gov and Kate.Hoffman2@seattle.gov.
RFQ Timeline*
| DATE | TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 8/6/2026 | 2026 Shelter Expansion Roster RFQ Released | |
| 8/10/2026 | 1 – 3 PM Pacific Time |
Information Session #1 (virtual) — Join virtual session Information session will be recorded and posted on this web page. |
| 8/13/2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM (Noon) Pacific Time | Information Session #2 (virtual) — Join virtual session Meeting ID: 243 994 410 062 78 — Passcode: Cd6Fe7fb Dial 1 (206) 686-8357 to join by phone — Phone conference ID: 861 281 365# Join on a video conferencing device — Tenant key: seattle@m.webex.com — Video ID: 115 878 224 2 For technical assistance or accessibility needs, contact: Leslea.Bowling2@seattle.gov and Kate.Hoffman2@seattle.gov |
| 8/21/2026 | 5 PM Pacific Time | Last Day to Submit Questions (via email only) Leslea.Bowling2@seattle.gov and Kate.Hoffman2@seattle.gov |
| 9/10/2026 | 12 PM (Noon) Pacific Time | Applications Deadline (electronic submissions only)
|
| 12/2/2026 | Planned Roster Notification | |
| 1/12/2027 | 2027 Shelter Expansion Roster RFQ Re-released |
*HSD reserves the right to change any dates in the 2026 Shelter Expansion Roster RFQ timeline.
Information Sessions & Technical Assistance
HSD will hold two virtual information sessions about this RFQ (see timeline above for details). One session will be recorded and posted on this web page.
Organizations interested in the RFQ are encouraged to attend a session and ask questions, but attendance is not required.
Communities Rise will provide free technical assistance to applicants during the RFQ period. Priority will be given to organizations that have experience providing culturally responsive services to people disproportionately impacted by homelessness and have other relevant, transferrable experience, but have limited or no direct experience in emergency shelter development, shelter operations, or behavioral health care in shelters.
Technical assistance will be available until 5 PM on Sept. 4, 2026. To request technical assistance or learn more, visit the Communities Rise website, or email cbclinics@communities-rise.org and include "TA Request - City of Seattle" in the subject line.
HSD is committed to ensuring that the roster opportunity is accessible to all eligible applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of this process, including the information sessions, application submission or any other aspect of this RFQ, please contact the Funding Process Coordinators at Leslea.Bowling2@seattle.gov and Kate.Hoffman2@seattle.gov as early as possible.
Application Due Date and Submission
Completed applications are due by 12 PM (noon) Pacific on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Applications may be submitted electronically via:
- HSD's Online Submission System at: http://web6.seattle.gov/hsd/rfi/index.aspx
or - Email at HSD_RFP_RFQ_Email_Submissions@seattle.gov. Email attachments are limited to 30 MB.
Any risks associated with submitting an application by email are borne by the applicant. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their application. No faxed or mailed applications will be accepted. If you do not receive acknowledgement of your emailed application, please contact Leslea Bowling at Leslea.Bowling2@seattle.gov and Kate Hoffman at Kate.Hoffman2@seattle.gov before the deadline to verify receipt.
Questions? Accommodation needs?
Please contact Leslea Bowling and Kate Hoffman, Funding Process Coordinators, via email with any questions about this RFQ or to request an accommodation for the information session: Leslea.Bowling2@seattle.gov and Kate.Hoffman2@seattle.gov.