King County, Seattle, and several cities across the county have opened and identified places that are welcoming people to come cool down during this Extreme Heat Warning, where temperatures are expected to be over 100 degrees. Anyone visiting a cooling center should wear a mask and maintain distance from people from outside your household to prevent the spread of COVID.
Cooling options are summarized below, or click here for more info from King County, and click here for more info from the City of Seattle.
Day Centers: The following day centers for people experiencing homelessness are open to the public (with some restrictions), accept pets, and have air-conditioning:
- Community Drop-In Center – Seattle Indian Center (1265 S Main St suite 105), Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center (4th & Jefferson), Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Urban Rest Stop – Ballard (2014-B NW 57th St), Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Urban Rest Stop – Downtown (1924 Ninth Avenue), Monday – Friday from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM and Saturday – Sunday from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Orion Center (1828 Yale Ave), Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Youth only (ages 12 to 24)
- Mary’s Place Day Center (1831 Ninth Ave), Monday – Friday from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Women or Women with Children only
- DCHS 4th and Jefferson Day Center, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Metro Buses: King County Metro riders can travel to cooling centers around King County on regular bus service, and every bus is air conditioned. Trip planning help is available online or by calling Metro’s call center, 206-553-3000.
Malls: Local malls like The Outlet Collection in Auburn, Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, and Northgate Station in Seattle all have air conditioning and are good places to cool off.
Libraries: Most libraries in the King County Library System and many in the Seattle Public Library system will be open and can be used as cooling shelters.
Seattle outreach to people experiencing homelessness: The Human Services Department’s (HSD) HOPE Team is coordinating outreach efforts with partners, will be distributing water and basic needs supplies, and have transportation resources available to cooling center locations. The HOPE Team is also coordinating outreach efforts with Health One and Seattle Parks and Recreation. Health One will have unit(s) in operation Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will be equipped with water and other heat-related supplies. HSD is also monitoring the forecast and making preparations, in partnership with Office of Emergency Management (OEM), King County, and Public Health Seattle King County (PHSKC), in case a temporary cooling shelter is activated.
Seattle cooling centers: For more information and a map of cooling centers in Seattle, including Senior Centers, Community Centers, Libraries, and the Armory at Seattle Center, click here.
Cities around the county (click on links for directions and hours):
- Auburn – Auburn Senior Activity Center
- Bellevue – North Bellevue Community Center, various beaches and water features
- Issaquah – Issaquah Senior Center
- Kent – Kent Commons Community Center, Kent Public Library
- Kirkland – Multiple locations
- Maple Valley – Lake Wilderness Lodge, Greater Maple Valley Community Center
- SeaTac – Community Center
- Shoreline – Shoreline City Hall
- Tukwila – Multiple locations
Businesses: Many local businesses also offer air-conditioned spaces.
