This year, our houseless neighbors have faced an additional barrier, COVID-19, which has limited sheltering space, created additional barriers to employment and changed the way the City responds to encampments, in accordance with COVID-19 recommendations by the CDC to not disperse existing encampments.
The Center for Disease Control recommendation to not disperse encampments means that the City must take measures to mitigate the health and safety concerns they create for people living in and around them, as we recognize that not all people will choose to accept available shelter.
For this reason, we partnered with a private property owner to establish a hygiene station at South 8th and Yakima Street as a 30 day pilot program from March 5 through April 7, 2021.
On April 6, 2021, staff reviewed the outcomes of the pilot program with City Council at Study Session and recommended extending and expanding the hygiene station program for up to an additional 90 days while we evaluate additional opportunities mitigate health and safety risks caused by unauthorized encampments. Listen to the pilot program analysis and recommendation presentation.
Current hygiene stations expected to operate until the week of July 19, 2021, are located at:
- S 8th and Yakima Street
- Under I-705, near A Street
Services at hygiene stations include:
- Portable toilet facilities
- Handwashing stations
- Dumpsters and supplies for collecting trash
- On-site security
Contact Us
Please report any concerns or misuse regarding the existing hygiene station at S 8th and Yakima to our contracted service provider, 1-800-Got-Junk, at (253) 250-1766.
To get involved in supporting our unsheltered community members email us or call (253) 591-5000.
Frequently Asked Questions