Homeless Shelter Opens At Bitter Lake During Monday Storm

SEATTLE, WA - Amid an unprecedented outbreak of winter weather, a new shelter for the homeless will open Monday night in North Seattle at the Bitter Lake Community Center.

Seattle Human Services Department Director Jason Johnson said Monday that shelters across the city were at capacity during two winter storms over the weekend. The Bitter Lake shelter will offer another 120 beds and was set to open at 3 p.m. Monday.

In addition to Bitter Lake, the Garfield Community Center in the Central District will be open Monday and Tuesday nights for families and adults. That community center also operates as a warming center during daytime hours.

Mary's Place has opened an extreme weather shelter for families at 312 Dexter Ave. North in downtown Seattle. That shelter is for families and their pets.

According to Seattle and King County officials, the number of unsheltered people served on just Sunday night:

• 100 people at the Seattle City Hall shelter
• 160 people at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
• 120 people at Garfield

The Seattle Navigation Team has also been out looking for unsheltered people. The team helped 67 people find shelter on Sunday night and handed out winter-weather clothing.

If you see someone who needs shelter, call King County's 211 help line. When 211 is closed, contact the 24-hour crisis line at (866) 427-4747 for information on warming centers and shelters. You can also see a complete list for King County here. For families in need of shelter, call the King County Coordinated Family Intake Line at (206) 245-1026.

Photo courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation