SEATTLE — Multiple organizations worked quickly to create more space in Seattle warm shelters ahead of more frigid temperatures coming Saturday night.
The Salvation Army and King County Regional Homelessness Authority opened two emergency cold weather shelters, in addition to other shelters the organizations run. The two emergency shelters are at the Salvation Army SoDo shelter and at Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center.
The SoDo warm shelter holds 33 people, while the Exhibition Hall location was originally expanded to hold 200 people. But after nearly hitting that expanded capacity Friday night, they increased capacity to 300 people for Saturday night.
One man who lives in the Salvation Army’s SoDo shelter said it is important that people can find a warm and safe place to sleep.
“The thing of being homeless is rest is the number one key to being homeless, is finding somewhere to sleep to have a clear mind the next day to do whatever you need to do,” said Christopher McNary, who has lived at the Salvation Army SoDo shelter for three months.
McNary said he is thankful to be in a shelter where he can come back to a shower and warm bed after work, and hopes people who are on the streets will utilize the warm shelters being set up during this cold snap.
“I mean, you can blunder around in the cold if you want, but everyone knows the Salvation Army will help you if you want it,” said McNary.
The Salvation Army said the need is high this weekend, as they see increased numbers at their day shelters, overnight shelters, and their cold weather shelters.
“This weather is dangerous and just a short amount of exposure, consistent exposure, can provide life threatening conditions,” said Felicia Grant, the Salvation Army director of Seattle Social Services.
She said the warm shelter at the SoDo location hit capacity the first night it was open this week and that they had to allow for overflow at the Exhibition Hall location on Friday night due to the high number of people needing to get shelter from the cold.
“I think we are fortunate that people are taking advantage of the space and not trying to weather this storm outside,” said Grant.
Data from the King County Medical Examiner's Office shows that five people who were homeless died from hypothermia in 2023. This risk of death and injury is why the Salvation Army is urging people to seek indoor shelter during these cold temperatures.
For a list of weather shelters in King County, click here.