King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is taking a major step forward in our commitment to behavioral health and crisis response by securing a permanent location for a new sobering center in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Part of DCHS’ crisis services available to King County residents, this new center will provide a safe space for people to sleep off the effects of acute alcohol or drug intoxication or opiate overdose and is the result of years of planning and a concerted effort to engage the neighborhood community.  

Expected to open this year, this center will be available 24/7 to meet the growing needs of our community and connect more people to treatment, lifesaving interventions, and a path to recovery. It will be operated by Pioneer Human Services and be able to serve up to 40 people at a time.   

“Sobering centers are one of the many tools we have to connect people in crisis with the resources they need to recover and lead happy, healthy lives,” said Susan Mclaughlin, Director of DCHS’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Division. “Securing a permanent site that is centrally located allows for expanded operations and capacity to help us reach more people and have a greater impact. We are grateful to have the support of the neighborhood and small businesses to help make this a success.” 

When the new facility opens, first responders will be able to bring people to the sobering center. Many people will be transferred to the King County Emergency Service Patrol (ESP) for transport. ESP monitors the downtown Seattle area and can transport people from emergency rooms and other community locations to the center, while other people may also walk-in.   

Sobering centers have been a part of our community for nearly 30 years and are one of the many resources we have available. With this new location, we will be working with our providers and community members to modernize the model of care to be responsive to realities we face today. 

Until the new center is open, there is a temporary sobering center on Yesler available from 5pm to 8am seven days a week to the public. 

A Brief History of Sobering Centers 

Sobering centers have long played a crucial role in public health, offering an alternative to emergency rooms and jail for individuals experiencing acute intoxication. King County first opened a sobering center in 1997 in South Lake Union, serving the community for decades. But when that facility closed in 2019, the region was left without a dedicated space for this essential service. In response, a temporary sobering center was established on Yesler in January 2022.  

The temporary Yesler sobering center provides health-supervised care for up to 35 people per night. It served over 1,000 people in 2024. The new SODO location has the potential to serve thousands more people each year. 

Currently, King County’s ESP provides 24/7 triage and transportation services for people with substance use issues in the downtown Seattle area and will bring individuals needing this type of shelter to the Yesler Building. They are also available in the morning to help people connect to other services. This model will continue at the new location. 

Now, by securing a site for the opening of a new permanent facility, King County is ensuring that this vital service remains available for years to come. 

A Strategic Location 

The location of the new site for the sobering center is near downtown Seattle and key locations that the center partners with, including Harborview, Swedish and Virginia Mason emergency rooms. This will allow ESP and other first responders to easily transport people to the sobering center, taking pressure off hospital emergency rooms that are overwhelmed and face staffing shortages.   

This new center will primarily serve the greater Seattle area but does not exclude individuals from outside of Seattle. 

When people are ready to leave the center, transport will be available from ESP to take people out of SODO to their next location (within the service area that is roughly Seattle’s downtown core) or to public transportation to get somewhere beyond the service area.    

Community Engagement and Support 

The efforts over the years to secure a permanent location for the sobering center were unsuccessful. The new site in SODO was through partnership and engagement with community members and businesses alike. King County and the City of Seattle engaged SODO Business Improvement Area early on and will continue to stay in close contact on the progress at the site.   

Safety is a top priority, which is why after hearing from the community, the county will have staff monitoring outside the sobering center where people come in. Additionally, all Pioneer Human Services and ESP staff are trained in de-escalation techniques.  King County will work with neighboring businesses and community members to address any questions or concerns that may arise.  

A Key Piece of King County’s Behavioral Health System 

The SODO Sobering Center is not just a standalone facility—it is an integral part of King County DCHS’ crisis services and plan to modernize the current behavioral health care system. This initiative includes expanding mobile crisis teams, restoring mental health residential treatment beds, and creating a countywide network of crisis care centers. By linking services like the sobering center with these broader efforts, King County is ensuring that individuals in crisis receive the support they need at every stage of recovery. 

As we celebrate the securing of a permanent site and, soon, the opening of the SODO Sobering Center, we recognize the collective effort that made this possible. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate system—one that prioritizes recovery, dignity, and community well-being.