First new transitional shelter units under Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson open in Interbay

The first new transitional shelter units under Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson opened in the Interbay neighborhood, marking her first major step toward achieving her goal of adding 1,000 shelter beds during her first year in office. The Bayside Enhanced Shelter, located on W Armory Way, includes 50 single-adult pallet home units that will operate as 24/7 transitional housing with wraparound services for individuals exiting chronic homelessness. The total number of units will expand to 75 by the end of the month.

The shelter, operated by Everyone Deserves Housing and built by Pallet Shelter, will provide access to behavioral health support for addiction and recovery. However, city officials emphasized that using these services is not a requirement for living on-site. Mayor Wilson acknowledged the complexity of recovery, stating, “The process of recovery is really complicated and difficult,” and that the shelter aims to support individuals without demanding abstinence upon entry.

The Interbay site will officially open for occupancy on Tuesday, with outreach teams beginning to identify currently homeless individuals throughout the city for move-in. City Councilmember Dan Strauss praised the new site, noting its potential to support those who struggle within the city’s existing shelter systems. “We have been successful in getting the people without complex needs off the streets and into the system that can ultimately provide them shelter and housing,” Strauss said. “What we don’t have enough of are shelters just like this.”

Mayor Wilson had previously set a goal of adding 500 shelter units by mid-June ahead of the FIFA World Cup, an initiative that will not be fully met. She acknowledged the shortfall, stating, “Is it a failure not to have created 500 units by now? As long as there are thousands of people sleeping unsheltered on our streets, yes, we are failing.” Despite this, Wilson remains committed to adding as many as 300 new shelter units by the end of summer, with several other sites identified for expansion.

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