ROOTS Young Adult Shelter is the largest and lowest barrier young adult shelter in Washington. Located here in the U-District, we provide a safe place to sleep, warm meals, Case Management, hygiene/laundry services, non-emergent healthcare, substance use disorder therapy, housing assistance, and other services for up to 45 nightly “guests” ages 18-25. ROOTS has served over 460 young people in 2024 alone; we provide over one-third of the emergency shelter for young adults in the King County Regional Homelessness Authority's Housing Inventory Count. Our mission is to partner with young adults on their journey to stability.

This is an exciting time at ROOTS, as we prepare to begin critical building upgrades on the permanent facility we purchased in 2019. We are on track to break ground next year and complete all renovations in 2026. Once finished, ROOTS will expand to become a 24/7 community center for all young adults in need of support, offering independent supportive living services, a daily meal program, partner-operated medical/mental health care, expanded Case Management, educational programming, and expanded quality of life programming, such as art and cooking classes. Expanded services will enhance outcomes for young adults as integral members of a community that centers their needs, so that they can enjoy full and rewarding lives.

Check out our newly released video, “ROOTS: From Shelter to Services,” to learn more about our upcoming facility renovations and service expansion.