November 8, 2007
UWMC to provide patient housing at Collegiana
By Mary Guiden
News & Community Relations
UW Medical Center took ownership of the Collegiana, a small former inn located across 12th Avenue N.E. and just north of N.E. 43rd Street, several months ago as part of the University’s move to the UW Tower properties formerly owned by Safeco.
The facility, with 29 residential units on three floors (and a shared kitchen on each floor), opened its door for patients and families in mid-October and recently welcomed its first guests.
UWMC leaders have been working for years to provide additional patient and family housing.
“We are very pleased and it’s exciting,” said Senior Associate Administrator Helen Shawcroft. “There is such a big need for this type of housing, and so many patients come here from outside of the Puget Sound area,” she added.
Hotel rates are increasing, which makes it more difficult for patients to find a place to stay, Shawcroft said.
The average hotel room rate in downtown Seattle was $173.83 in the first half of 2007, said Laurin Curtin, of Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. The figure marks an increase from $162.76 during the same period last year, she added.
Downtown Seattle’s hotel occupancy rate also went up during the same timeframe, to 73.5 percent from 72.4 percent.
The medical center currently holds contracts with facilities that do provide more reasonable rates. The Northgate-based Hotel Nexus, for example, has a limited number of contract rooms and the University Inn and Watertown, both located on Roosevelt Way N.E., have rates for patients or their families.
Patients and family members will pay a portion of the lodging costs at the Collegiana and donated funds will help make up any difference.
Shawcroft said additional fundraising will be conducted to help UWMC continue to provide this type of housing resource to patients and families. The Seattle Marathon Association this year named UWMC’s Patient & Family Housing Fund as a partner and beneficiary.
Campus space planning for tower properties will continue until early 2008, and University officials have said UW Tower moves are expected to begin in spring 2008.
Patients may make reservations at the Collegiana by calling 206-732-3200.
For a list of housing options, visit the information desk in the UWMC main lobby or the Social Work office.
- Interested in helping support the Patient & Family Housing Fund? The Seattle Marathon, benefiting the fund, still needs volunteers. Sign up online at www.seattlemarathon.org or call UWMC Volunteer Services at 206-598-4454.
