FOLLOWUP: Westside Neighbors Shelter won’t need to reduce overnight operations

| Triangle | West Seattle news

One week after we reported that Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle would have to reduce overnight operations for lack of funding, we’ve learned that they’ve raised enough money to avoid having to do that. We checked with shelter board spokesperson Laurie Utterback today to ask if the shelter would still be cutting back on all but “severe weather” nights. She says shelter founder Keith Hughes reports tonight, “We have met our stated goal of $50K that will allow us to stay open through February.” The shelter’s board will discuss its status on Monday, as well as discussing “how to improve operations for the remainder of the current cold-weather season.” Shelter funding covers the relatively new administrative and security staff provided through a collaboration with Highline United Methodist Church, as well as operational costs such as utilities.

Richard December 28, 2025 (7:08 am)

This is great news, the high cost of living in Seattle does not differentiate between the haves and have nots. Thank you to the selfless, local volunteers who give their time and support to WN Shelter,

Christine December 28, 2025 (8:47 am)

Hurrah! I’m grateful for everyone who pitched in to help! It is getting colder and the folks need shelter and a caring place to be.

Lauren December 28, 2025 (9:23 am)

;So glad to read this follow-up!

George December 28, 2025 (11:06 am)

Can we talk about the increase in safety issues that seems to be happening in the neighborhood? In the past few weeks we’ve had car vandalism, dumpster fires, stolen packages, and break‑ins at nearby apartment buildings, including my own.I want to be clear that I have a lot of empathy for our unhoused neighbors, and I support resources that help people stabilize. At the same time, the level of disorder we’re seeing is creating real stress and harm for residents. It feels important that the shelter play a role in helping its residents understand expectations around being good neighbors and good stewards of the community.If these issues continue without any visible steps toward improvement, I worry that community support for this resource will erode. I’m hoping we can work together on solutions that protect both the dignity of unhoused individuals and the safety of the surrounding neighborhood.

K December 28, 2025 (1:56 pm)

Every thread about crime has comments from people going to the police for help, and SPD refusing to take action. The easiest solution seems to be that the police start doing their jobs.
Kadoo December 28, 2025 (4:54 pm)

George, I completely agree. It has been better in the area since summer but there are still problems.
Sara December 28, 2025 (7:54 pm)

I totally agree. The increase in safety issues is a concern. The bus stops are just shelters now and I don’t feel safe walking around my own block anymore. Something needs to be done for safety in this area.
Other Neighbor December 29, 2025 (7:03 am)

Agreed, and this area is becoming an epicenter of regular disorder of illegal activity. Regular people and kids going to school cannot use the bus stops because they are taken over. Have witnessed illicit behavior there, not just someone trying to stay out of the weather.
Ihhh December 29, 2025 (10:37 am)

I fully echo your comments. We have donated to this shelter as we also want to support unhoused folks. However, the area around the shelter has become unsafe. I do not let my kids use the bus anymore since they have to walk to one of the stations along Alaska. I no longer run to the West Seattle stadium since it feels unsafe and I need to snake my way trying to avoid people doing drugs in public spaces. I do not know if the operations of the shelter and all of this behavior are correlated, but we need to do something about this. We pay our taxes, we care for the community and our neighbors. We also have a right to feel safe.

Minny December 28, 2025 (1:09 pm)

Too bad. Delaying the inevitable.

Scarlett December 28, 2025 (2:36 pm)

Delaying the inevitable as in people dying of exposure?
- Question Authority December 28, 2025 (6:35 pm)
  
  The inevitable pressure put upon the shelter to do more than free hots and a cot. Without a system to encourage and/or require some form of drug/alcohol/mental illness treatment options the clients stay needful. The issues that bring them are why the neighborhood sees and experiences the negative behaviors, and that will not be tolerated as open ended.
  - Scarlett December 28, 2025 (9:12 pm)
    
    Ever heard of “triage,” QA? The first step is to prevent people from DYING. as in not breathing anymore. By the way, if you’ve ever been to the chaotic ER of a county hospital, Harborview for example, the staff doesn’t stop treating a gunshot wound because the victim has the arm of a junkie.
    - Question Authority December 28, 2025 (10:15 pm)
      
      So they get a hot and a cot, how does that prevent dying from an OD or arrested for violence and property damage? Visiting for subsistence and shelter does not cure the ills that haunt most of them, they need more than what that shelter offers to survive long term. And yes, I have been to a triage center and they actually have resources available, unlike there.
    - Lauren December 29, 2025 (10:21 am)
      
      Probably since it’s the season, I’m reminded of the Ebenezer Scrooge quote: “if the poor are going to die they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

Scarlett December 29, 2025 (12:45 pm)

I’m not going to debase myself by appealing to the few shreds of compassion in others, but this is money well spent, homegrown activism with no money going to bureaucratic overhead, or minimal. If you’re concerned about safety, keep on the SPD to increase their presence in the area.

natinstl December 29, 2025 (1:40 pm)

Was visiting a local business across the street today, rampant drug use out front, the bus stops close by are a mess and not safe. I applaud them wanting to help, but they aren’t addressing and I don’t think are equipped to deal with the continued issues others are experiencing from this shelter.

Kelly December 29, 2025 (2:33 pm)

Grateful for all these people are doing for the community. Nothing but love! Thank you!

Richard December 29, 2025 (4:00 pm)

QA- your words are noted , and yet as we sit in our warm homes – doing something to offer “hots and cots” in a safe environment can be worthwhile to those who are struggling. it is difficult I understand as it may not offer à la carte treatment to those in need. Yet perhaps this small shelter gives hope to a few who seek help in times of need. Not everyone brings forth “negative behavior” . It’s complicated , otherwise like many communities- the struggle is real and answers are few.

Louise December 29, 2025 (6:55 pm)

What a thoughtful response. Thank you.
Question Authority December 29, 2025 (7:38 pm)

Thank you, as part of my civic employment I witnessed many things that proved that no matter the compassion, not all success comes from good intentions. It became obvious that without rules and consequences the recievers felt no obligation to better themselves, you’re destiny is to continue suffering if you don’t have conditions to meet for what you’re provided.

Ready for a change. December 29, 2025 (7:07 pm)

I go to physical therapy across the street from the shelter and I’ve seen open use of needles and people with their pants down. There’s a childcare directly across the street. I was driving last week at the intersection of Fauntleroy and Alaska and I had someone try to break my windshield. Very scary. I’ve worked with chronically mentally ill people for 35 years. These are not mentally ill people. These are people that are not obeying the laws of the community and are making it scary for many others. I respect everyone as a person however, these people must comply or there need to be consequences and right now there are not so it’s a free for all. It’s turning into a very scary and crazy place to live. Let’s join together and come up with a solution.

Divided we stand December 29, 2025 (10:56 pm)

And so here we are, re-read these responses from members of our fine community. Is this thread any different than our nation as a whole? Do we offer compassion and hope or is it best to simply deal with the “problem “ head on and load the whole lot of them onto a bus headed somewhere… anywhere but not in our town because these people are unlike us! A great civil conversation and reflection upon all of us.

Ihhh December 30, 2025 (10:33 am)

Respectfully, please tell me how with what you are calling hope and compassion we are making our community safe for all? How letting people wonder the streets, littering, with their pants down and openly using drugs, is a way to give them hope?

Scarlett December 30, 2025 (11:02 am)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with accountability and expected more from fellow human beings, even including a stern prodding to do something with their lives, but climbing out of a hole is nearly impossible given the cost of living and other obstacles these days Some of you who have been esconced comfortably in homes or rental for years – or decades – would be shocked if you had to go out in the market today and qualify for a rental. This is the brutal reality of the world outside your window.

I am in Sacramento as I write this and a table over a couple of homeless grown men on earbuds are too busy to even hardly acknowledge a charitable barista who is serving them free coffee and snacks. Apparently, this is their regular “cafe,” according to another patron. Yes, witnessing grown adults fall to such a low ebb turns the stomach – let’s all be honest – but this is the society we now live in and the depressing reality is there is no solution on the horizon.

Divided we stand December 31, 2025 (12:53 am)

To IHHH: your opinion matters. May I suggest that using such a broad paint brush to refer to all people served at the Shelter are exhibiting such behavior. No one would deny what apparently you witnessed. No one wants to see everyone characterized by the behavior of a few. Respectfully, please consider this fact when commenting on unhoused individuals.

P January 6, 2026 (12:30 pm)

I’m going to say this part out loud and it’s not going to be
popular… this shelter is not a net good for the community. If it was
run well and the clients followed the code of conduct on the property, then
that’s one thing. But there is no enforcement of the code by the people
running it. The police now have the “no trespassing” order which can be
enforced when the shelter is not in operating hours, which is why there has
been an improvement on loiterers on the property during the afternoon
hours. What is happening is that the dealers know this is a safe space
for them during opening hours where they can use and sell with impunity. It has become a known place to buy drugs
and get fed. This creates a magnet for bad actors that can prey on
vulnerable people who are trying to get help. And drug users are more
emboldened to use in the surrounding areas as the actual property fills up with
people.This is all happening right next to a preschool and a day
care who take their kids out to the playground right next door. Fentanyl
can be absorbed through the skin mind you… and there have been foils found on
the ground near the playground and the surrounding area. The Westside
Neighbors Network is forcing our teachers and caretakers to take the burden of
ensuring the rows of children they’re looking after stay away from dangerous
materials. This is to accommodate
citizens engaging in non-social behavior during their working hours. Let
alone giving local parents that burden during drop off or walks to the YMCA.
Sure, they can “go around”… but is that fair? Is that also
fair to the neighboring businesses to see less foot fall and more harassment
from anti-social and dangerous people who have been drawn to the area?If it was responsibly run, it would be a net benefit.
But it is not. It has scaled out of control and created a dangerous place
for citizens, children, even for the unhoused who are just trying to get help.Ideally, this operation does not belong near children’s institutions. But I do think there could be balance. With costs rising and the shelter workers
with no capacity to oversee their clients, the daily operation will continue to
cause problems. The consistency causes “customer
service calling hours” for drug dealers and continues the cycle of drug sales
and use in the area. But the majority of
the need is during inclement weather, as well as the funding. The most good happens during these
times. If the shelter closed down daily
operations and focused on a well run overnight shelter, during those times of
the year it would be a net benefit. The Westside
Neighbors Shelter could focus on fundraising for those times, while opening bigger
revenue stream to rent their space to paying customers. The police continue to enforce the
trespassing violations. The board would
have time to file for permits, and government support. Dealers would not have a daily landing area near
the preschool and daycare. Then during the
year the shelter is open overnight, the funding could be focused on more
security, and law enforcement, the community, and businesses can be more
informed and engaged. I believe we can
help our unhoused during their times of need successfully, and it needs to be done
responsibly.

My understanding is that Keith will not budge with anything
but the status quo so I know this is going on deaf ears. I’m sure future comments will say “it isn’t
that easy” and I get that. But I wanted
to propose a solution to show I see the issue.
If moves to be more responsible and transparent by the board were made, I
would be happier to be of help. But
until then, it is not being safely run and doesn’t deserve our community’s
funding or support.

Sorry, comment time is over.