As part of the process for Congregations for the Homeless to begin operation of a permanent Men’s shelter, the city of Bellevue have directed staff to identify an interim location for services to be held while construction begins to improve the current location.

At the city council study session on March 18, the council directed staff to find an interim location and agreed to continue outreach to other regional organizations to fund those interim operations year-round.

In January, Congregations for the Homeless (CFH) announced they had selected a location for their permanent men’s shelter. The shelter will be located on 13620 SE Eastgate Way, which is surplus property owned by King County.

CFH executive director David Bowling said the nonprofit reviewed several sites to make sure it was right for the people they serve but also for the surrounding community. The shelter is planned to open in 2022 and until then, the men’s shelter will continue to operate its partial-year shelter, closing down for the summer months.

To stay open year-round, the shelter would need an additional $385,000 in funding for both 2019 and 2020. Extension of the day hours during that period would also cost about $185,000.

The current shelter is located at Lincoln Center, but it is in need of building improvements to remain up to city code for its use. The city of Bellevue, CFH, and a community team found the building needed fire sprinkler protections, safety items, a new sleeping area, relocation of office space to the second floor, and more.

According to the city, the estimated cost for those projects range from $900,000 to $1.2 million.

Because of the need for improvements the second, interim location is necessary to be used while the Lincoln Center is closed for construction.

Staff will return to the council in April for additional direction.