Amazon announced May 10 that it would build a 47,000-square-foot shelter for Mary’s Place at its new headquarters. The 65-room shelter will serve 200 people at a time when the building opens for both Amazon employees and their homeless neighbors in 2020.
Mary’s Place, a shelter for women and families, is used to moving around. The organization’s model involves taking up vacant space with the caveat that there is always an end date. Amazon previously donated the use of a Travelodge hotel, which is on part of the land meant for the headquarters, to Mary’s Place for more than a year.
This announcement makes that partnership permanent. Amazon will also help Mary’s Place find a new site for the gap between the close of the Travelodge and the opening of the shelter.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC
Read the full May 17 issue.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Paul Allen donates $30M for housing
Nightwatch gets new home
Amazon donates space for Mary’s Place shelter in former Travelodge