As homeless shelter prepares to close, group makes last-minute bid

A group of local churches, shelters and other organizations is making an eleventh-hour attempt to keep open a homeless shelter on Elliott Avenue targeted for closure this weekend — a victim of the troubled economy.

"This is a critically needed service," said Eric Stelter, a member of Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church coordinating efforts to continue the shelter operated by CityTeam Ministries. "We want to do what we can to keep it going."

The shelter at 904 Elliott Ave. W. houses 55 men a night, as well as accommodating 15 in recovery programs.

CityTeam Ministries, a nonprofit agency based in San Jose, Calif., announced in a letter to supporters on its Web site that it will close both the Seattle shelter and recovery programs Sunday, citing "the harsh downturn in the economy and the decrease in donations."

The statement from Julie Stephenson, CityTeam's Northwest program director, said the organization is "downsizing our programs in Seattle," but would still operate community-based services here, such as helping homeless families get food boxes, school supplies and referrals for other assistance.

Stelter's group, working with the Bread of Life Mission, has offered to buy the CityTeam building and operate the shelter. He declined to say how much his group offered for the facility, but acknowledged it may be less than an offer CityTeam has already received from a potential commercial buyer.

Jeff Cherniss, CityTeam's chief financial officer, said the organization, within the last few days, retained a real-estate consultant in Seattle to help determine the future of the site. "We've received the offer [from Stelter's group] and are evaluating it," Cherniss said, but he said that group is not the only interested potential buyer.

In the meantime, he said, CityTeam plans to close the shelter Sunday after Saturday night's occupants depart. The 15 men in the separate recovery program are transferring to other programs, some at CityTeam facilities in other cities, and one has become successfully employed and is ready to be on his own.

Stelter said his group is in a "dicey situation" because it's not seeking to create bad publicity for CityTeam Ministries.

"They've been operating an important ministry here for 10 years, and it's been a tough road for them," Stelter said. "We've not wanted to box them in too much, but we don't want to let this happen."

Stelter said the lost shelter spots can't be easily absorbed by other local shelters, which "are overrun now."

Mayor Greg Nickels' office, contacted by Stelter's group, is also pushing for a resolution that would keep the shelter operating, at least temporarily. Nickels spokesman Alex Fryer said Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis on Friday called CityTeam officials in California, telling them it would be unfortunate to close a shelter while Seattle has been experiencing severe weather.

"We're saying we want to lend our voice to all the other voices saying we'd like to see if we can get a deal done," Fryer said.

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com