St. Mark's Cathedral Opens 20-Bed Women's Shelter in Seattle
St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, has opened a homeless shelter for women, named Donna Jean's Place, in February 2025. This 20-bed facility addresses the city's shortage of emergency shelter beds and is operated by Operation Nightwatch.
The cathedral has a long history of supporting the homeless, dating back to the 1980s. In 1975, it established the Hospitality Kitchen to provide meals for the needy. The new shelter is part of the cathedral's ongoing commitment to social justice and housing solutions. The Very Rev. Steven Thomason, the cathedral's dean, initiated talks with Operation Nightwatch to create this shelter. Operation Nightwatch also runs a separate shelter for men and a street ministry.
The shelter, named after a long-time volunteer, Donna Jean, offers emergency housing to individual women, not those with children. It is a response to the nationwide shortage of affordable housing, with an estimated 7.1 million units needed for low-income renters. The renovation of the shelter cost $100,000 and was funded by the congregation at St. Mark's.
Donna Jean's Place is a significant addition to Seattle's efforts to tackle homelessness. St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral plans to further expand its support by developing an affordable housing complex in the next three years. Homelessness remains a pressing issue in many cities and states, highlighting the urgent need for more affordable housing solutions.
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