Seattle shelter struggles with record demand in freezing weather
SEATTLE - As winter temperatures drop, Washington is facing an overwhelming surge in demand for shelter. With other facilities closing and a lack of shelters, Westside Neighbors director Keith Hughes says his shelter is the last option for many in need.
"We're running over capacity every day," said Hughes said. "Once again, KCRHA has shut down all their shelters, and I’m the only guy left open. So I've had 55, 56, 58 people here overnight, and I’m set up for 44. It’s been a little hectic."
Hughes says people are coming from all over the region. While Snohomish County has seen improvements in its shelter system, he’s still seeing people from Lake City, Magnolia, North Aurora, SODO, Burien, White Center, and Des Moines.
Hospitals, he says, are also sending recently discharged patients to his address.
"The usual suspects are always here from Harborview, Swedish Medical Center, and Virginia Mason," Hughes said. "They all think it’s great to just send their dischargees to my address."
Washington sees a tougher winter than usual
What they're saying:
Hughes says this winter has been busier than past years.
"We started in mid-November with the overnight setup," Hughes said. "The last couple of years, it starts kind of slow and builds up into December. This year, we started right off with 35 to 40 people, and it’s just gotten bigger. There are more people hurting and fewer places for them to go."
Westside Neighbors operates as a no-barrier shelter, meaning people do not need to provide identification or meet prerequisites to receive help. Despite this open-door policy, Hughes has managed to avoid tent encampments outside his facility.
"I have enough mess without adding a tent camp to it," Hughes said. "I try to keep the place looking decent, try to keep the neighbors from throwing rocks at me."
The other side:
With freezing temperatures and potential snowfall on the horizon, Hughes is concerned about what’s to come.
"KCRHA has declared an emergency, so there will be some more emergency shelters open in the downtown core, which will take some pressure off," Hughes said. "But being open for two days and closed for three days, then open for three more days and closed for two—it’s just not a workable solution."
Hughes says people experiencing homelessness don’t always have access to updates about shelter availability.
"People with no place to go typically don’t wear a wristwatch and don’t carry around a calendar," Hughes said. "Posting something on the web doesn’t reach the people who need shelters."
With his shelter already over capacity, Hughes is worried about running out of space entirely.
"Our big night so far was last week—we had 61 people in here," Hughes said. "I own 48 cots. The rest had to sleep on the floor. I’m out of cots, I’m out of blankets, I’m out of floor space."
Homelessness system is straining
Why you should care:
New ordinances in nearby cities are also having an impact. Burien recently passed a no-camping ban that even prohibits people from carrying blankets in public spaces.
"We had three new people last night from Burien because they have no place to go," Hughes said. "Some days, I get really discouraged about the condition of our society. The City of Burien thinks about absolutely nothing but themselves. They are not giving any thought to what their actions are doing to other people."
The closures of other shelters have only added to the crisis.
"There was a youth center in the Rainier Valley that closed a month ago," Hughes said. "People who were volunteering there are now over here because they still want to help. One night it was open, the next night there was a sign on the door saying, ‘Sorry, we’re closed.’"
What Seattle thinks about homelessness
What's next:
Hughes says the West Seattle community has been incredibly supportive, but there’s still a need for more resources.
"The only physical things I’m worried about right now are cots—I’m out of cots," he said. "20% of the people staying in my shelter are women, and I don’t have enough bathroom space, but I can’t fix that overnight. It would be nice if I didn’t have so many of them sleeping on the hard floor."
Despite the challenges, Hughes remains committed to keeping his doors open.
"I can’t shut down," he said. "There’s no place else. If they’re not here, they’re outside in the rain, the cold, and the snow coming this week. The downtown shelters are full before they ever open the door."
The Westside Neighbors Shelter is open overnights from 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. with a hot breakfast served from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Here is what's needed right now.
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