Permanent Eastside Men's Shelter Funding Approved In Bellevue

BELLEVUE, WA — The Bellevue City Council has unanimously approved funds to support the construction of the first permanent men's homeless shelter on the Eastside. Three resolutions approved this month include $3.6 million for estimated cost increases to build the shelter on Eastgate Way, $4 million to support the purchase of the Illahee Apartments to preserve affordable housing and $400,000 for the Eastgate Permanent Supportive Housing Project.

Since 2008, Bellevue has hosted a men's shelter during the winter months, rotating between the Crossroads, Northeast Bellevue, BelRed, Downtown and Wilburton neighborhoods. In 2019, the city added a temporary year-round location, utilizing 100 beds at the Lincoln Center. The interim shelter will stay in place through at least the fall of 2022.

The new permanent site, at 13620 SE Eastgate Way, will be built on surplus property purchased from the county. The broader Eastgate housing campus will also include a day center and workforce housing. As the Seattle Times reports, the new shelter could be completed by spring 2023.

Learn more about the plans for the Eastside men's shelter on the city website.