SEATTLE — A new urban rest stop will be open in Ballard starting Oct. 12 to provide hygiene services for homeless people in the area.
An open house hosted by the Low Income Housing Institute Thursday will show off the newly constructed, energy-efficient facility.
The facility at 2014 Northwest 57th Street will include restrooms, showers, washers, dryers, a laundry folding area and a healthcare exam room. Staff and volunteers will help homeless people with referrals to obtain housing and other community resources, according to the LIHI.
The services are free to the homeless and are supported by individual donations, businesses and foundations.
Once open, its hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The facility is located on the first floor of Cheryl Chow Court, a new apartment building for seniors, and is equipped with five private shower-bathrooms, separate restrooms for men and women, five double stacked washer-dryer sets and two additional double-stacked dryer sets.
"Each day, we anticipate helping around 75 individuals with showers. Everyone is welcome to come and use the public restrooms at the Ballard Urban Rest Stop," said Sharon Lee, LIHI Executive Director. "We also invite Ballard merchants to send over non-customers who need to use the restroom."
The facility is the third developed by LIHI. The agency said one in downtown Seattle at 1924 9th Ave. has the largest number of patrons. The other rest stop is located in the heart of the University District.
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