The New Amazon Building In Seattle Will Include A Homeless Shelter

May 11, 2017

Mary's Place announced on Thursday that Amazon will donate more than 47,000 square feet within Amazon's newest headquarters building in Seattle as a permanent home for a Mary's Place Family Shelter.

This first-of-its-kind partnership will include 65 rooms, which will shelter more than 200 homeless women, children, and families each night.

"To have a permanent downtown Seattle location within Amazon is a game-changer for Mary's Place and the families we serve," said Marty Hartman, Executive Director of Mary's Place. "We've loved being Amazon's neighbor, and now the opportunity to move into their headquarters permanently is truly a dream come true. This unique, first-of-its-kind shelter will remind families that they matter and that their community wants to help them succeed."

According to Business Wire, Amazon employees are frequent visitors and volunteers at the existing Mary's Place shelter – bringing meals, organizing arts and crafts projects, throwing parties for the families, and more. By sharing permanent space with Mary's Place, Amazon employees will now have even more opportunities to volunteer and support the organization and the families they serve.

Amazon's announcement comes just two weeks after Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's foundation promised $30 million toward building a new facility to house Seattle's homeless families and children.

Seattle's leaders declared a homelessness state of emergency in 2015.