Skip to main content
King County logo
  1. Health care services for people living homeless
  2. Healthcare for the Homeless Network (HCHN)

Healthcare for the Homeless Network (HCHN)

Health care services to people experiencing homelessness in King County and leadership to help change the conditions that deprive our neighbors of home and health.

The Public Health — Seattle & King County Immunization Program and Health Care for the Homeless have partnered to provide free flu and hepatitis A vaccines to individuals who are most at-risk, including people experiencing homelessness.

Please complete this survey if you would like to request an on-site vaccine clinic at your agency.

Health care services For health care providers For homeless service providers
Mobile medical care Data and reports About us
Downloadable flyers for people living homeless and homeless service providers in PDF format:
For people living outdoors or homeless:

Rats and miceRats and mice are common in King County. They can spread diseases such as rat bite fever and hantavirus. People can get sick from handling rats/mice, contact with their feces, urine or saliva, or from bites. You are more likely to come into contact with them when living in cars, RVs and outdoors. These important tips will help you stay safe and healthy.

Rats and Mice: Guidance for people living outdoors or homeless

Hepatitis A (Hep A) is a virus that spreads easily. Many people don't know that they have Hep A so they spread it without knowing.

Arabic
التهاب الكبد A: تحذيرات صحية للأشخاص الذين يعيشون في الملاجئ

Chinese
甲型肝炎: 针对无家可归人群的健康警告

English
Hepatitis A: Health warning for people living homeless

Korean
A형 간염: 홈리스 생활자를 위한 건강 경고

Spanish
Hepatitis A: Advertencia de salud para personas que están sin hogar

Hepatitis A: Health warning for encampment operators
Encampment operators must provide adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities

Advisory on how to prevent the spread of HIVMore people living homeless and people who inject drugs are being diagnosed with HIV in north Seattle. Please test for HIV regularly.

HIV: For people living homeless
HIV signs and symptoms

Wound infections: Alert for people living homelessGet care for wound infections. Group A strep is a germ that is spreading in King County. It can cause "strep throat" and skin infections, and also severe infections, including "flesh-eating" bacterial infections. People living homeless and those who inject drugs are at higher risk.

Wound Infections: Alert for people living homeless

Shigella: Highly contagious diarrheal illnessShigella causes diarrhea, fever and stomach pain and can be spread through tiny, invisible bits of poop (stool) that people touch and then accidentally ingest. Learn how to avoid getting and spreading it.

Shigella: Highly contagious diarrheal illness

For homeless service providers:

Group A Strep: Health warning for homeless service providersIf you're a homeless service provider, encourage clients to prevent from getting Group A Strep by getting prompt treatment for skin infections, wounds and illnesses.

Group A Strep: Health warning for homeless service providers

How to reduce flu in sheltersPeople with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Flu viruses are spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. If you are a shelter provider, learn tips on how to prevent the spread of flu by increasing the distance between people, separating clients with symptoms of flu and clean and disinfect surfaces.

How to reduce flu in shelters

HIV alert for homeless service providersPublic Health has identified a cluster of new HIV infections among heterosexuals who inject drugs and are living homeless in north Seattle. Homeless service providers can help by offering or referring for HIV testing, PrEP and harm reduction services.

HIV alert

Health warning flyers for people living homeless

Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/hch