Health Care for the Homeless Network Programs and Services

Geographically based care teams serve selected homeless sites throughout King County. The teams typically comprise nurses, nurse practitioners, and mental health and chemical dependency counselors. Clients are linked to community clinics and other systems of care as needed. The teams also include eligibility counselors or "access advocates" who provide information about Medicaid and other health coverage options. Care providers serve selected sites for specified hours each week depending on the size, location, and needs of the program. Not all types of services are available at each site.

Eligibility: Services are generally available to the current clients of the homeless program where Health Care for the Homeless Network (HCHN) staff are sited. If clients are eligible for a given shelter or day center, they are generally then eligible to see the Health Care for the Homeless care provider(s) on site.

Third Avenue Center at YWCA Opportunity Place

The Third Avenue Center is a small health clinic that targets adults who are experiencing homelessness and those who are making the transition out of homelessness. It is located at 2028 Third Avenue in downtown Seattle, next to Angeline's day center at the YWCA Opportunity Place. Operated by Harborview Medical Center's Pioneer Square Clinic, the Third Avenue Center provides walk-in specialty health services, management of acute and chronic illness, well adult exams, women’s health care, family planning, HIV screening, podiatry, referral to a primary care medical home, and referrals to dental services. On-site psychiatrist and mental health professionals offer mental health counseling to current clients. Interpreter services are available.

Eligibility and referral: Serves homeless people and individuals without health insurance who are unable to pay for services. Hours are 7:00 am to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Walk-in only. Sign-up for same-day appointments begins at 7:15 a.m. for morning appointments, and at 1:00 p.m. for afternoon appointments. Sliding scale fees are available. Medicaid (medical coupons), Medicare, and private insurance are accepted. For more information, call (206) 521-1231.

The Second Avenue Clinic, located inside the downtown Seattle Needle Exchange Program

Harborview Medical Center's Pioneer Square Clinic operates this small outreach clinic that targets homeless people who are clients of the Needle Exchange program in downtown Seattle. Open Monday - Friday from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Clients can make an appointment or walk in. The clinic provides services for both acute and chronic conditions, including care of cellulitis and injection related abscesses, dressing changes, and screening for diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Also available on site is HIV testing and counseling, Hepatitis A, B and C and STD screening and treatment, tuberculosis screening, immunizations, and flu shots. During morning hours, when Second Avenue Clinic is not open, the same clinic providers are available to see clients at Pioneer Square Clinic.

Eligibility and Referrals: Homeless adults and youth are eligible. Call 206-521-1855 for an appointment or walk-in during open hours.

Medical Respite Program

The Medical Respite Program is a partnership of Harborview Medical Center's Pioneer Square Clinic, the Salvation Army's William Booth Center, the YWCA, and HCHN. The program provides short-term nursing and recuperative care for homeless clients with an acute medical diagnosis. Seventeen respite beds for men are located in the Salvation Army's William Booth Center and five women's beds are located at the Downtown YWCA. Pioneer Square Clinic provides medical services, psychosocial assessments and case management services designed to link clients with housing, on-going primary medical care, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and other needed services. Respite services are offered 7 days a week.

Eligibility and Referrals: Self-referrals are not accepted. Click here for more details on respite admission criteria and referral guidelines. To refer clients who meet admission criteria, medical providers can call the Harborview Medical Center operator (206) 731-3000 to page the Respite Program admitting staff. Referrals are accepted 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

REACH case management project

A program of Evergreen Treatment Services and Pike Market Medical Clinic, the REACH project provides intensive and long-term case management, health assessments, nursing case management , and referrals for homeless adults with chronic substance abuse issues. Clients are referred to REACH from the Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center in Seattle. Case managers focus on addressing needs for health care, mental health and chemical dependency services, stable housing, income support, and addiction treatment.

Eligibility and referrals: Homeless adults who have spent at least one night at the Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center. Referrals are made by staff of the Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center, 206-205-1092.

Pathways Home

A case management program for homeless children and their families, operated through a partnership of Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Center's 45th Street Clinic, and HCHN. Long-term case management services are provided through a multidisciplinary team of professionals in the fields of primary health care, nursing, psychiatry, social work, mental health, and chemical dependency. The program focuses on the needs of children who are impacted by homelessness and experiencing health, development, or behavioral difficulties.

Eligibility and Referrals: Pathways Home serves homeless families in King County who have children in the household or in temporary custody; have health-related needs; and desire services. To make a referral, contact the Valley Cities Counseling Access Line 253-939-4055.

Homeless Youth Medical Clinics

Homeless youth medical clinics offer free primary and alternative health care for homeless youth. These "youth-centric" clinics operate on a drop-in basis between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. Follow-up is during regular clinic hours by appointment. Special focus has been placed on creating an environment, which is safe, supportive, and accessible for homeless youth, as well as sensitive to their particular needs. Staff is skilled in working with this population and focus on providing a friendly and respectful atmosphere.

Eligibility: Homeless youth ages 12-23.

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