Community Support and Justice: People Experiencing Homelessness

24 Hour Crisis Line
Available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day
Toll Free: 1.866.4CRISIS or 1.800.427.4747
In Seattle: 206.461.3222 / TTY: 206.461.3219

Suicide Prevention Hotline
Washington Suicide and Crisis Hotlines
1.800.SUICIDE or 1.800.275.TALK 

Domestic Violence
1.800.562.6025

Alcohol/Drug Help Line (24–hours daily)
206.722.3700 or 1.800.562.1240

Drop-In Centers for Shelter and Meals

For a more complete list of shelters around Seattle and nearby suburbs, please see this article "Come in From the Cold" published by Real Change newspaper in January 2020.

• Catholic Housing Services Women’s Referral Center: 2030 Third Ave., Angeline’s Center. Emergency shelter and referral for single women, screening and referral from 6 to 9 p.m. Call (206) 441-3210.
• Chief Seattle Club: Drop-in center with clothing, meals, hygiene items, benefits assistance, assessment/referral to alcohol treatment, housing assistance and case management for low-income and homeless American Indians and Alaska Natives 18 and older. Must apply for membership and provide proof of tribal affiliation.
• Lazarus Center: Operates a drop-in center with laundry, shower, telephone, mailing address service, clothing and daily lunch. Serves homeless and marginally housed adults who are 50 and older. 
• Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS): PSKS is a drop-in shelter that assists homeless and at-risk youth and young adults to empower themselves and lead positive and self-sufficient lives by offering education, employment and housing support. ​
• ROOTS: ROOTS Young Adult Shelter builds community and fosters dignity through access to essential services and a safe place to sleep for young adults, ages 18-25, experiencing homelessness.
• Seattle Municipal Tower Cold Weather Shelter: 700 Fifth Ave., Seattle. This shelter is not open year-round. Please check in advance.
• Seattle Public Library: Drop-in support services for veteran families experiencing homelessness or who are very low-income. Services include rapid housing, counseling, access to medical care, financial assistance and legal assistance.
• SHARE/WHEEL Night Shelters: 1902 Second Ave., Josephinum, Seattle. (206) 448-7889.
• Teen Feed: Teen Feed responds to the most basic needs of homeless and at-risk youth in the following focus areas: healthy meals and lives, youth support coordination, street outreach, healthcare access, and engaging the community through service.​
• YouthCare: YouthCare is a drop-in shelter that serves homeless youth ages 12-24 in the Greater Seattle Area.
• YWCA Emergency Shelter: YWCA is a multi-issue and multiracial organization committed to social justice. Their Emergency Shelter serves women 18+. They also provide basic needs and counseling. 

Food Resources

• Seattle Central College: Food pantry hosted by Student Support Services located at BE 3215.
• Jewish Family Services: Food bank/pantry. Use student ID if you don't live in Capitol Hill.
• Byrd Barr Place: Food bank/ pantry. Requires photo ID and proof of address.
• Pike Market Food Bank: Serves people who live in zip code areas 98101, 98104, 98121, or with no address. Requires ID; they do not provide grocery bags.
• Salvation Army: Serves people who live in zip code areas 98101, 98102, 98104, 98108, 98109, 98112, 98118, 98119, 98121, 98122, 98134, 98144, 98199. Requires ID.
• A directory of other food banks in Seattle can be found here: http://www.seattlefoodcommittee.org/food-bank-directory/seattle-food-banks/
• SNAP/WIC: Use www.parenthelp123.org to determine your eligibility and begin the application process for supplemental money towards groceries through government programs SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).
• Fresh Bucks: Earn money towards EBT purchases by buying fruits and vegetables at Seattle farmer's markets.
• Complete Eats: Similar to Fresh Bucks (above); earn coupons by purchasing fruits and vegetables at Safeway grocery stores.

Housing Advocacy

• Muslim Housing Services: Case management, homelessness prevention, transitional housing and rental assistance. Serves refugees and second migration immigrants from East Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and other parts of Africa. Staff speaks multiple languages.

Health & Medical

• 45th Street Clinic Neighborcare Health: A health clinic where no appointment is necessary, serving homeless youth ages 12-23.
• Country Doctor Free Clinic for Homeless Youth: A health clinic where no appointment is necessary, serving homeless youth ages 12-23.

Legal Assistance

• Neighborhood Legal Clinics: Operates a legal clinic. Call for an appointment. Serves low-income or homeless self-identifying American Indians and Alaska Natives that live in King County or have a case filed in King County. Call ahead for screening. No fees. 
• Seattle Community Law Center: Representation, advocacy, and assistance applying for, receiving, or appealing decisions on Social Security benefits, serving low-income and homeless individuals with disabilities.