Where to Get Help
Community services
Information on a range of services, including shelter, food and other needs, is available by phone or the Internet. What kinds of services are there? Help finding housing, food, donated furniture, transportation, mental health or substance abuse treatment, baby clothes and diapers, employment and job training, low-cost legal aid, and much more. The 2-1-1 Community Information Line is a one-stop resource center for a range of assistance programs in and around King County.
Shelter assistance and housing referrals
If you are homeless, contact the 2-1-1 Community Information Line for a referral to a local shelter. They can help you identify shelters that may have immediate openings given your specific situation (some shelters are for men only, or for women with children, etc.). The Community Information Line operates a Bed Bank service Monday through Friday where staff track openings at various shelters in King County.
Housing Service Brochures Available: Community Resources Online offers brochures on housing and shelter services to help people connect with housing and shelter resources in King County. These brochures, updated three times per year, provide the most current housing resource information available for men, women and families in King County.
Interpreter services
If English is not your spoken language, 2-1-1 workers can help you through their Language Line services, with 140 languages available.
Emotional crisis
If this is an emergency, and you feel you or your family member are in danger phone 9-1-1 immediately. If you are facing an immediate crisis, and need to talk with someone right away, call the 24-hour crisis line operated by the Crisis Clinic. Specially trained crisis counselors are available around the clock to help, to listen, to discuss things anonymously and confidentially, and to help link you to support services in the community.
Food
Community Information Line/Community Resources Online can help if you and your family members do not have food. This may include locations of local food banks, Meals on Wheels services for people who cannot leave their homes, locations where hot meals are available and other help.
Help for seniors
Information on a variety of resources and services for seniors is available, by phone or online, including help finding appropriate housing, home sharing, home repair, meal preparation and other food services, counseling, and other resources.
Help finding public housing
If you're seeking information about Section 8 housing or public housing and other low-income housing programs, contact the appropriate Housing Authority or visit their web sites (external).
- Seattle Housing Authority
- Renton Housing Authority
- King County Housing Authority
- Muckleshoot Housing Authority
Help finding low-income or affordable housing
An Internet resource is available to help individuals and families find affordable housing opportunities in Washington state. The site lists properties for families, individuals, seniors and people with disabilities. Rentals are listed by owners, housing authorities and other agencies whose goal is to provide affordable low-income housing. Most have eligibility criteria and you must apply for housing.
Child care
Child Care Resources Information and Referral Line serves all King County families seeking child care information for children between the ages of birth through 14 years. While middle and upper income families are charged a fee, lower income families are provided with the service at no cost. Staff will help you with applications and referral to appropriate child care providers.
