This article provides an update on Federal Way’s approach to cold-weather sheltering and homelessness services. It details activation thresholds, the status of County-owned shelters, planned relocations of service centers, and the community response during recent cold events.
It highlights ongoing gaps, funding efforts, and the timeline for converting facilities into sustainable housing and support networks.
State of cold-weather sheltering in Federal Way
The city did not open a cold-weather emergency shelter after mid-March snowfall because ground temperatures did not meet the activation threshold. Federal Way still lacks an overnight shelter for single adults and has relied on emergency measures only during extreme weather.
Grounding the decision: activation thresholds and current gaps
Activation depends on ground temperatures. The absence of a dedicated overnight single-adult shelter means many individuals remain without a predictable, year-round option beyond episodic measures.
King County investments and facility status
King County bought two hotels in Federal Way to assist people experiencing homelessness. One site, Booker House on South 320th, now provides permanent supportive housing but does not function as an emergency shelter.
The other site, the Federal Way Inn and Suites (formerly the Red Lion on South 348th), was intended to fill the emergency-shelter gap but remains closed due to several challenges. These include meth remediation, water-damage repairs, and remodeling needed to convert it into shelter.
Two hotels: Booker House and Federal Way Inn and Suites
- Booker House: permanent supportive housing established; not an emergency shelter.
- Federal Way Inn and Suites: shuttered awaiting remediation and remodeling; projected re-opening delayed.
Day Center relocation and shelter planning
The city council is exploring moving the Federal Way Day Center to the former Red Lion property to co-locate services. The Day Center is currently run by Catholic Community Services, which would operate the future emergency shelter if the plan proceeds.
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith secured $250,000 in federal Community Project Funding to repurpose the Day Center’s former pool building for hygiene, case management and other supports. This falls short of the city’s $2.5 million request.
Co-location, funding, and regional coordination
City staff recently raised the relocation idea with King County, which must review it amid staffing changes. The project is designed to avoid conflicts with Sound Transit’s Tacoma Dome Link Extension alignment.
Funding, timeline, and the outlook for 2026
King County initially estimated an April opening for the new shelter amenities. The earliest possible opening is now projected for June 2026.
This revised timeline reflects the complexity of converting a hotel into a functional shelter and the broader constraints facing the county’s homelessness pipeline.
Funding gaps and strategic priorities
The federal funds secured cover only a portion of the needed upgrades. The difference between the $250,000 and the $2.5 million requested highlights ongoing fundraising and allocation challenges.
Community response and capacity-building
During recent cold events, faith communities and local partners stepped in to provide immediate shelter space, meals, clothing and gear. Calvary Lutheran Church, along with groups like FUSION, the city, and GFW CERT volunteers, opened emergency space to dozens of people.
To bolster long-term readiness, the city is actively recruiting CERT volunteers. A free training series begins April 15 to strengthen community emergency-response capacity and reduce delays in future cold-weather responses.
What’s next and how residents can help
As the city, county and community navigate the shelter gap, stakeholders are pursuing co-location of services and continued emergency-response planning.
Incremental improvements to shelter capacity are also being considered.
Residents can support by engaging with CERT training and volunteering through local churches and nonprofits during cold events.
They can also follow updates on the Day Center relocation and the redevelopment of the Red Lion property.
Federal Way’s path forward will rely on coordinated funding and timely shelter operations.
Sustained community involvement is essential to protect vulnerable residents and to build durable, humane solutions for homelessness in the region.
Here is the source article for this story: Cold weather reinforces need for emergency shelter in FW