Shelters

Homeless shelters in Seattle are usually at or near capacity, especially in cold weather. We strongly recommended that, if possible, you phone to ask about openings instead of showing up on the doorstep of one shelter after another. You will be less stressed out, and so will they. The Community Information Line (first listing here, just dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-621-4636) is generally the single best source of information on which shelters currently have space.

For online information about shelters in Seattle, see City of Seattle Human Services Transitional Housing.

NOTE to families seeking shelter in Seattle and King County. King County’s Coordinated Entry and Assessment system and the Family Housing Connection is the single access point for most family shelter and housing resources in King County. If you are pregnant or an adult with at least one child in your care and do not have a place to stay, schedule an appointment by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-621-4636.

The Crisis Clinic operates several phone lines (including a 24-hour crisis line) and a TTY service. Besides being a generally good entry point to the social services system, the Community Information Line has daily updates on any available bed space in women and family shelters. (Also a good entry point for men seeking shelter, but this information is not updated daily.)

Phone numbers:
24-hour crisis line: 866-427-4747
King County 2-1-1: 2-1-1
Teen Link: 866-833-6546 (evenings 6-10 PM)

TTY for 24-Hour Crisis Line, WA Recovery Help Line and Teen Link:
206-461-3219
For 711 Relay, give the Crisis Line toll-free number 1-866-427-4747.

TTY for King County 2-1-1:
206-461-3610
For 711 Relay, give the toll-free phone number 1-800-621-4636
Verified 03/2014

Operation Nightwatch Emergency Shelter
206-329-2099 (after 8:00 pm)
email: info@seattlenightwatch.org

Nighttime drop-in center at 302 14th Avenue South (between Yesler & Jackson on the corner of 14th and Main). Open nights, not days. Screening and referrals done every night starting 9pm until midnight. Please do not arrive early. Age 18 and over only.  Operation Nightwatch does not assist families with children.

Men who do not already have a valid ticket from Operation Nightwatch must have a referral ticket from the Bread of Life Mission, 97 South Main Street. Please check with that agency for distribution times and availability.

Women do not need referrals.
Verified 03/2022

Compass Center's Family Support Program
206-357-3100
Client Services Office: 77 S Washington, Seattle 98104

The Compass Center's daytime Client Services Office offers mail service, savings accounts for people who cannot maintain traditional bank accounts. Peter’s Place welcomes homeless men and women, and provides meals and basic services, connect with case management, nursing services. Transitional and permanent housing; veteran’s services, and family services.

Compass Center operates several nighttime shelters, but only do their own intake for one of them, the First Church Men's Shelter located at the First United Methodist Church, 180 Denny Way. To see if there is space at this shelter, check in at the Client Services Office (77 S. Washington St.) at 9:00am Monday-Friday.
Verified 03/2014

Downtown Emergency Service Center
206-464-1570, select 1 for shelters
517 Third Ave., Seattle 98104

Information and referral drop-in hours Monday-Friday 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.

The DESC Emergency Shelter serves women age 18+ and men age 60+. Men 18-59 are also served if severely disabled, mentally ill, physically or developmentally disabled, medically/physically compromised, or chemically dependent (and working with a counselor). DESC also offers a daytime program (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m) and manages eleven supportive housing projects.
Verified 03/2014

SHARE/WHEEL
SHARE: 206-448-7889
WHEEL: 206-956-0334
Fax: 206-448-2389
PO Box 2548, Seattle 98111

Do not telephone for shelter availability. They are rarely able to answer phone, and do not return calls regarding shelter.

Screenings for 15 shelters for adults (some shelters are co-ed, but there are no family or couples facilities, men and women sleep separately). Screening for shelters takes place at multiple locations, see www.sharewheel.org/share-screening-calendar.

SHARE also operates four Tent Cities (which move periodically). Contact SHARE at 206-448-7889 for the current Tent City locations; online information at www.sharewheel.org/Home/tent-cities.
Verified 03/2014

Saint Martin dePorres Shelter
206-323-6341
1561 Alaskan Way S, Seattle 98134

Operates at its full capacity of 212 men a night. The shelter is open 365 nights a year from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and during the day for medical convalescent care. During the winter months, wthey have arrangements with eight local churches to provide space for an additional 34 men a night. To access services, visit the Lazarus Day Center at 416 2nd Avenue before 7:00 p.m. daily.
Verified 03/2014

Union Gospel Mission
206-622-5177
318 Second Ave. Ext. S, Seattle 98104

Shelter for men, no fee, following chapel at 7 p.m. 110 mats available.
Verified 03/2014

William Booth Center
206-621-0145
811 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 98134

Men's facility. Breathalizer, drug test required. Several options:

• Limited number of emergency beds.
• Dormitory-style transitional shelter, $70/week, bunk bed plus locker (6 month limit, meals not provided).
• Transitional housing at 30% of gross income. Case manager available.

Bread of Life Mission
206-682-3579
97 S Main St, Seattle, WA 98104

In Pioneer Square neighborhood. Day Shelter every Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m (men, women, and children). Mail Services, clothing, lockers (minimal fee), media center (computers with internet access and television), Metro bus passes, hot lunch, social services and referrals.

Night shelter (men only).
Verified 03/2014

Seattle Indian Center
206-329-8700
611 12th Ave S, Suite 300, Seattle 98144

Sea’ Sha Inn (men’s hostel), 7 nights a week, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; cots & blankets, shower, kitchen, TV; free local calls, continental breakfast.

Day services: Mon – Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; limited laundry & showers; dayroom & computer lab with internet access.
Verified 03/2014

Noel House Women's Referral Center
206-441-3210
2030 3rd Ave., Seattle, 98121

Women only shelter, 18+, 40 beds, referrals to other shelters. Evening meals. Doesn't turn away women with mental/physical disabilities or addiction issues. Open registration nightly 6-8 p.m.
Verified 03/2014

Church of Mary Magdalene / Mary's Place
Rotating Night Shelter and Emergency Shelter
206-621-8474
314 Bell Street, Seattle

The Rotating Night Shelter accommodates fourteen people (5-6 families) from Mary’s Place, moves to 13 different faith communities, each congregation hosting one week per quarter, four weeks per year.

Emergency Family Night Shelter (EFS), in partnership with the Union Gospel Mission, is an emergency night shelter for up to 48 women and children from Mary’s Place who are waiting to be referred to a longer-term night shelter.
Verified 03/2014

YWCA Emergency Shelter
206-461-4888
(Downtown Seattle)

The YWCA provides a safe haven for women and their children fleeing domestic violence. All women 18 years old and their children are eligible. No boys over the age of 17. Women undergo an intensive telephone screening by calling the number above to determine if this shelter will meet their needs.
Verified 03/2014

Hope Place: Union Gospel Mission Women and Family Shelter
206-628-2008
New Holly, 3802 South Othello Street., Seattle

Single women & women with children (including male children up to age 18.) They say "Many we serve suffer from years of drug and alcohol abuse or physical abuse and are in need of long-term care."
Verified 03/2014

Julia’s Place Night Shelter (operated by Mary's Place

206-621-8474
314 Bell Street, Seattle

Julia’s Place Night Shelter is operated by Mary's place and hosted at the Madrona Grace Church. Five intact families (men, women and children) from Mary’s Place can stay overnight while waiting for permanent housing.
Verified 03/2014

Hopelink Emergency Family Shelter
206-556-9289

9-unit shelter in Kenmore provides up to 3 weeks shelter and transitional housing for Greater Seattle and Eastside families seeking permanent housing.
Verified 03/2014

YWCA South King County Family Shelters
425-255-1201

YWCA South King County operates family shelters in east and south King County for families with at least one child under 18. Call for screening 425-255-1201. Must have valid ID for all family members.
Verified 03/2014

Other Shelter Resources for families
These listings come from a listing by the Crisis Clinic, and have not been fleshed out.

Roots Young Adult Shelter
206-632-1635
Currently at 157 Roy Street (near corner of Warren, right by Metropolitan Market on Lower Queen Anne).
New location 4541 19th Ave NE should be open by the end of February 2021.

18-25 yr olds welcome. Open 7 nights a week. 45 beds. People seeking shelter can go to the shelter or call 206-632-1635 between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. and ask to be put on the list. Doors open for sign-in at 9 p.m. ROOTS requires a state-issued photo ID within 5 stays or a note from a case manager saying you are in the process of getting an ID.
Verified 01/2021

La Ba Te Yah Youth Home and Elders Program
206-781-8303

Transitional housing and state group housing for homeless young adults ages 18-23. Youth can stay up to 18 months. 25 beds. Part of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. Call for info. All races welcome.
Verified 03/2014

Youthcare
206-622-5555

Youth that qualify can enter the shelter that day. Within 72 hours of entry into shelter, a parent, guardian, or Child Protective Services (CPS) worker must consent to the youth staying in the program. There are three shelter programs:

Friends of Youth - Youth Haven
206-236-KIDS (206-236-5437)

Youth Haven is an emergency shelter in Redmond for 11-17 year olds, serving 5 girls and 5 boys at a time. Maximum stay of 21 days.
Verified 03/2014

South King County Youth Shelter
253-735-3582

24-hour intake. Auburn Youth Resources provides this short-term emergency shelter for homeless and runaway youth, or youth dealing with a family crisis, ages 10-17. There are 9 beds available.
Verified 03/2014

Cocoon House
425-259-6042
800-259-6042

Cocoon House operates two 8-bed emergency shelters for youth ages 13-17 in Snohomish County, one in Everett and on in Monroe, each in a house in a residential neighborhood. They also operate a Maternity Group Home transitional shelter for youth ages 13-17 in Arlington. Phone for shelter availability.
Verified 03/2014

• Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence lists "safe houses."
• Housing.

• The Shelter Listings site has an excellent national listing of shelter resources, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent affordable housing resources: www.shelterlistings.org. Their Washington State listings are at www.shelterlistings.org/state/washington.html.

Feel free to copy all or part of this document for any non-commercial purpose. Notification and credit would be appreciated.

The master of this page is http://seattlecrisis.org/shelters.html.