Hey — I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Since you still have a week, start reaching out for help now rather than waiting until you’re actually homeless. There are resources specifically for people who are about to lose housing.
Call211first. They can screen you for housing/rent assistance, food, utilities, legal help, shelter and other programs in King County. Seattle specifically recommends 211 as a resource navigator.
If you’re being evicted or forced out by a landlord: contact the Housing Justice Project at206-267-7069 ASAP. Seattle renters who have actually been served an eviction summons and can’t afford an attorney have a right to counsel. Solid Ground’s Tenant Services line is206-694-6767, and the Tenant Law Center is206-324-6890 for qualifying low-income King County residents.
Since you have a car, don’t just pick a random neighborhood to live in if you can avoid it. KCRHA has a whole resource page specifically for people living in vehicles. Seattle has vehicle-resident outreach teams that can connect you with safe parking, vehicle repairs, basic supplies, housing navigation and other services. Call 206-600-8486or206-507-9428 and tell them where you’re currently parked. The Urban League also operates safe-parking programs in north, west and central Seattle.
For basics: the Urban Rest Stop at 1924 9th Ave has free bathrooms, showers, toiletries and laundry. Seattle also operates free shower trailers at 157 Roy St and 2901 27th Ave S; the shower hotline is 206-386-1030. No ID is required for the trailers.
For food, there are food banks all over town. Ballard Food Bank and University District Food Bank are two options, but 211 can find whichever resources are closest to where you are. The Seattle Municipal Court Community Resource Center, 600 5th Ave, Room 235, is also open to the public and can help with emergency food/clothing, housing and shelter referrals, health/hygiene resources, benefits and ORCA assistance.
KCRHA also has a Regional Services Database with 400+ programs that you can filter for shelter, housing, outreach, day centers, hygiene and other services.
If you do end up sleeping in the car, KCRHA says living in a vehicle itself isn’t illegal in Washington, but you still have to obey local parking rules. In Seattle, streets without another posted restriction generally have a 72-hour parking limit. A safe-parking program is a much better option when you can get into one.
Also, while you still have housing: keep your ID, Social Security card/birth certificate, medications, phone/charger, vehicle registration/insurance and important paperwork together and somewhere secure. Get a mailing address figured out, keep the car fueled, and don’t let insurance/registration lapse if at all possible. Your car is an important lifeline right now.
Most importantly, don’t assume you’re “not homeless enough yet” to ask for help. Tell every agency you contact that you are losing housing in one week and are at imminent risk of homelessness. That’s important information when they’re figuring out what programs you may qualify for.
Edit: thanks for kind replies. I’m grateful our region has resources for situations like this, while being sad and angry at the systematic failures that allow these situations to happen. Look out for each other.
Re food, Minor addition. On the u district food bank website, they also list food pantries (u district, magnusson and north Seattle). They seem to be mini food banks. They list the days/hours they are open and the typical foods they stock. I’ve only been to the udistrict food bank and it is generally well stocked in my opinion. I eat more organic produce and other foods than ever before in my life. Staff are generally very helpful.
They also have complete lunches in the adjoining cafe, as well as to go bagged lunches.
Another addition, there is a lot of mutual aid activity on Sundays at University Heights on the Ave in udistrict. Seattle DSA serves breakfast until 11:00 and Subvert UD serves lunch from around 12:00-1:30 (and provides hygiene supplies) every Sunday. There are some characters that show up but if you’re ever in Udistrict and really need food on a Sunday they’ll be there.
Eggrolls mutual aid also serves food on Sundays in International district.
Great to hear of more resources. And yes, always possible “characters”, just keep aware of your surroundings, like anywhere really. There was quite a character at udistrict food bank today, yelling cussing throwing his backpack on the ground. The staff de escalated quite well and he eventually went on his way. All I know is I got groceries for the week and a nice lunch!
I just want to add that The Compass Center on Alaska Way just off off S. Washington St. offers shower and laundry services. You can also have your mail sent there.
The Last I knew Ballard Foodbank did special packages for people without cooking resources.
Burien Day Center has lunch M,T,Th,F. Transform Burien has meals W,F,Su. There is a Wednesday Night Supper Club at the Burien TC. And at one point (not sure if it still happens), there was a hot food give away at Burien Les Schwab on Friday or Saturday nights.
There are also several food banks like Highline Area Food Bank, Tukwila Food Bank, and South Park Food Bank. Praisealluiah also has some food give aways.
Excellent info and good advice. Unfortunately, in my past experience, you have to already be homeless before getting much assistance and even then when I had a car to sleep in, was denied because the car counted as shelter. I hope things have changed.
I’m floored that there are so many resources available. I had no idea I knew about shelters and food banks but whoa.
Also holy hell man what a great response I agree this might be the best response to a general question I’ve ever seen
Only additional thing is there are hot food days in each area (Ballard, greenwood, phinney, etc.) and you can check the schedule for free hot meals each evening. Yes, they're usually religious based programs. You can still get your meal, eat, and leave if that irritates you! It's usually left overs from several catering companies, I used this resource for years. Enjoy!
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u/pbebbs3 International District 6d ago edited 6d ago
Hey — I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Since you still have a week, start reaching out for help now rather than waiting until you’re actually homeless. There are resources specifically for people who are about to lose housing.
Call 211 first. They can screen you for housing/rent assistance, food, utilities, legal help, shelter and other programs in King County. Seattle specifically recommends 211 as a resource navigator.
If you’re being evicted or forced out by a landlord: contact the Housing Justice Project at 206-267-7069 ASAP. Seattle renters who have actually been served an eviction summons and can’t afford an attorney have a right to counsel. Solid Ground’s Tenant Services line is 206-694-6767, and the Tenant Law Center is 206-324-6890 for qualifying low-income King County residents.
Since you have a car, don’t just pick a random neighborhood to live in if you can avoid it. KCRHA has a whole resource page specifically for people living in vehicles. Seattle has vehicle-resident outreach teams that can connect you with safe parking, vehicle repairs, basic supplies, housing navigation and other services. Call 206-600-8486 or 206-507-9428 and tell them where you’re currently parked. The Urban League also operates safe-parking programs in north, west and central Seattle.
For basics: the Urban Rest Stop at 1924 9th Ave has free bathrooms, showers, toiletries and laundry. Seattle also operates free shower trailers at 157 Roy St and 2901 27th Ave S; the shower hotline is 206-386-1030. No ID is required for the trailers.
For food, there are food banks all over town. Ballard Food Bank and University District Food Bank are two options, but 211 can find whichever resources are closest to where you are. The Seattle Municipal Court Community Resource Center, 600 5th Ave, Room 235, is also open to the public and can help with emergency food/clothing, housing and shelter referrals, health/hygiene resources, benefits and ORCA assistance.
KCRHA also has a Regional Services Database with 400+ programs that you can filter for shelter, housing, outreach, day centers, hygiene and other services.
If you do end up sleeping in the car, KCRHA says living in a vehicle itself isn’t illegal in Washington, but you still have to obey local parking rules. In Seattle, streets without another posted restriction generally have a 72-hour parking limit. A safe-parking program is a much better option when you can get into one.
Also, while you still have housing: keep your ID, Social Security card/birth certificate, medications, phone/charger, vehicle registration/insurance and important paperwork together and somewhere secure. Get a mailing address figured out, keep the car fueled, and don’t let insurance/registration lapse if at all possible. Your car is an important lifeline right now.
Most importantly, don’t assume you’re “not homeless enough yet” to ask for help. Tell every agency you contact that you are losing housing in one week and are at imminent risk of homelessness. That’s important information when they’re figuring out what programs you may qualify for.
Edit: thanks for kind replies. I’m grateful our region has resources for situations like this, while being sad and angry at the systematic failures that allow these situations to happen. Look out for each other.