HOUSING AND FOOD ASSISTANCE
During these uncertain times, many may be facing instability in their housing situations or have fears about whether or not they can feed themselves or their families amidst the pandemic. Below you can find various shelters and food assistance programs that are working to ensure access to basic needs for the community during this difficult time.
Shelters
Below you can find various organizations who are continuing to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as housing, food, clothing, and more.
ROOTS Young Adult Shelter builds community and fosters dignity through access to essential services and a safe place to sleep for young adults experiencing homelessness.
Organization
Description
Services Provided
Populations Served
Young Adults aged 18-25 years old
New Horizons was founded in 1978 and partners with youth experiencing homelessness on their journey toward stable housing and independence.
Provides outreach, case management, employment resources, food services, and shelter services.
Provides shelter services, food services, hygienic services, clothes services, case management, employment resources, education, and health management.
Young Adults
Mary’s Place, through its nine King County locations, supports women and families experiencing homelessness and aids them on their journey to stable housing.
Provides outreach, health services, housing resources, employment resources, education, and food services.
Women and families with their children (men and women)
CCS staff from many faith traditions serve people in need, regardless of religious affiliation, race or economic status who are in need of support.
Provides shelter services, housing services, family programs, specialized services, senior/in-home care, mental health services, and addiction recovery services.
Men, women, and children
Hopelink provides a network of critical social services through a number of different programs through the agency’s service centers that help over 63,000 people every year.
Provides support, resources, and professional services including survivor advocacy, mental health therapy, legal advocacy, shelter, and housing services.
Families
Lifewire helps adults, children, and youth who have been impacted by domestic violence to build safer, healthier homes through support of various services.
Provides housing services, transportation services, family development resources, financial assistance, employment resources, adult education, financial literacy training, and food services.
Adults, children and youth
Mamma’s Hands mission is to help those in crisis to regain their self-respect and to provide them with the support and direction needed to become productive members of society. Their program, House of Hope provides a safe and secure 24-hour living environment for women and children in crisis.
Provides safe and secure 24-hour shelter and housing services.
Families
CFH works to end homelessness in East King County, Washington by helping men successfully make the transition from homelessness to permanent housing.
Provides outreach, case management, shelter services, and subsidized housing.
Men
ROOTS YOUNG ADULT SHELTER
We would like to highlight an organization that serves the local Seattle community in the University District. Vietnam Health Clinic has connected with ROOTS and donated medical supplies such as gloves, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizers and more to help support ROOTS serve their population during these overwhelming times regarding COVID-19.
Since 1999, ROOTS Young Adult Shelter has helped individuals aged 18-25 experiencing homelessness find shelter, safety, and a source of compassion here in the U-District of Seattle, WA. We are a provider of countless resources including: Dinner, breakfast, social support, hygienic services and facilities, hygienic products, clothing, case management, temporary daytime services during the Covid-19 crisis, and aid in connecting many guests to resources for employment opportunities, education, and health management. ROOTS is a low barrier shelter that accepts guests for who they are and the experiences that brought them to us. We understand that many of our guests face barriers including institutionalized racism, classism, sexism, homophobia/transphobia, and other oppressive systems. For 45 individuals each evening, ROOTS is a place to call home.
- ROOTS Young Adult Shelter
Isolation and quarantine (I&Q)
centers
Isolation
Isolation is for those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19. By isolating, you are able to prevent getting others in your family or your community sick.
Quarantine
Quarantine is for those who do not feel sick or have symptoms related to COVID-19, but have been exposed to those with COVID-19. If you have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19, it is recommended that you quarantine for about 14 days to avoid the spread and to keep both you and others safe.
In the King County area, Isolation and Quarantine (I&Q) Centers are available to those who need to either quarantine or isolate. Those who are able to stay at one of these King County centers include:
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Essential workers with a high-risk person at home
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People living in multigenerational households
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Anyone who is unable to isolate or quarantine at home
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People without permanent housing
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People who live in group living settings
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Travelers
For more information to see if I&Q centers are right for you, visit kingcounty.gov/covid or click below:
Grocery sHopping tips
While essential businesses such as grocery stores are still open, preventative measures and safety precautions should still be practiced. Here are some grocery shopping tips recommended by the Washington State Department of Health:
COVID-19 Grocery Shopping Tips (English)
Food assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much financial and economic concerns that have greatly impacted many individuals and many families. Below we have gathered a list of organizations that are providing food assistance and various
Food Lifeline
Organization
Description
Link
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Second Harvest
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Here are catalogs of local organizations that distribute free food to those in need, and their locations in Washington state.
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Resource Finder can also connect individuals to other forms of resources.
Washington Food Pantries
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Here is a map of food banks, food pantries, and meal programs in Washington State
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In the greater Seattle area, there are available programs that are providing emergency food boxes and offering free home delivery to those who need them
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Schools are offering meals to students during school closure
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Click this link to find a meal service location near you.
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
(OSPI)
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This site finder was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition (FNS) aiming to help children, parents and others to find summer meal sites near them while schools are closed during coronavirus pandemic.
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Second Harvest distributes over 2 million pounds of free food each month to help people in need in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho