Westside Neighbors Shelter starts temporary closure sooner than first scheduled

| Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

After today, the Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle will be closed for several weeks of work. That’s sooner than first announced, according to the announcement we received following a vote of the shelter’s board:

The shelter has moved its closure date to April 3 (instead of April 15 as previously scheduled). The Warm Up Center at the American Legion Hall is currently closed for several weeks of facility improvements such as bathroom remodeling (which has already begun), kitchen cleaning, door lock changes, and shelter policy development. During this time, no breakfast or other services will be available, and the grounds and building will be closed to the public. (Dinner and overnight stays ended for the season on March 31.)
The Warm Up Center will re-open for breakfast, showers, assistance with forms and housing, and clothing help on a date to be announced soon.

Our Amazon wish list is still active for donations, which will be needed when the Warm Up Center re-opens. Thank you to our caring community for all the help we received this winter. See you in a few weeks!

We asked board member Laurie Utterback, who sent that announcement, why they decided to close early. Her reply:

A couple reasons. Our construction professional is donating his time, and these dates fit with his schedule. Also, given the recent incident of escalated violence in the encampment nearby, the board decided that we need more time to develop a stronger security protocol for staff and volunteers for the safety of everyone coming into the Legion Hall.

Lola April 3, 2026 (10:59 am)

Thank you for all you do for the homeless. I know it can’t be an easy task given all of the circumstances for each individual. I am sure in some small way they are great-full for the help you give them. Having a warm bed and shower with full bellies is a welcome for them.

Neighbor April 3, 2026 (1:06 pm)

We’re really looking forward to a few peaceful days in the neighborhood while the shelter is temporarily closed for remodeling. The past couple of weeks have been very stressful, with incidents like fights, stabbing, attempted robbery, and drug use affecting people who live and work in the neighborhood.Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood and homes. We truly hope the remodel brings positive changes , better support, and improved safety for both the surrounding community and the individuals using the shelter. in the meantime, we’re grateful for some calm and quiet.

Lauren April 3, 2026 (1:25 pm)

Hoping to see far more SPD presence in the Triangle when they reopen.

Unfortunate April 3, 2026 (2:01 pm)

I’m glad it’s just a temporary closure. Good on whoever the contractor is for donating their time!

Ihhh April 3, 2026 (2:52 pm)

Thank you for all what you for the community.We all hope that the new security protocol also takes into consideration how the activities of the shelter affect the safety and well-being of the neighborhood.

Triangle Neighbor April 3, 2026 (2:54 pm)

Wow, the sidewalks are clear, the bus stops are usable, and the neighborhood has nobody in view openly smoking fentanyl. I had to pinch myself, us neighbors can breathe. Glad to see Laurie has no real concern for the neighbors, kids at the school, kids at the daycare etc, just the volunteers and people going in. Pretty emblematic of how the enablement center has worked with the surrounding community to date.Let us all enjoy our neighborhood before the self appointed saviors of the antisocial reopen their doors and our neighborhood goes off a cliff again while the tell us how righteous the are. I am sure I am not alone in feeling my cortisol levels drop as I walk around today.

John April 3, 2026 (4:02 pm)

Thank you for feeding these individuals who are unfortunately living in the park and are forced to bring all their belongings to the busstops. Truly amazing work! We all appreciate you. I know things would not be better in this area if you all weren’t there providing your services.

Other Neighbor April 3, 2026 (5:23 pm)

Will SPD still patrol the area while the shelter is closed? What if people still congregate on the grounds?

Others April 3, 2026 (9:18 pm)

Until further notice BREAKFAST to go style will still be served at the totem pole in the mornings around 9:45 ish for those who still want to come grab a warm breakfast as long as behaviors there stay positive. People going down there to grab a meal in the morning are being encouraged by there PEERS TO HELP KEEP THE SPACE CLEANh AS WELL AS CLEAN UP AS MUCH AS THEY CAN DOWN IN THAT AREA. sack style breakfast will be brought down there daily until other wise noted BUT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO PEOPLE HANGING OUT OR AROUND THE LEGION POST EVERYONE WILL BE RE DIRECTED IF THEY SHOW UP RIGHT AWAY. were hopeful our peers can show this wont be an issue and will be as respectful and clean as possible to utilize this privilege.

1994 April 3, 2026 (10:23 pm)

Reason for closing on April 3 —Also, given the recent incident of escalated violence in the encampment nearby, the board decided that we need more time to develop a stronger security protocol for staff and volunteers for the safety of everyone coming into the Legion Hall. Yes! And improved safety for the neighborhood!!!!!!! Is the location/building zoned to host a shelter???? Is the facility up to code for health and safety operating as a shelter? Preparing and giving away food?

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