Burien Severe Weather Shelter (BSWS) invites people to come in from the cold, receive a hot meal, and have a warm, dry and safe place to sleep. It is a low-barrier shelter, meaning that all are welcome and no one will be turned away as long as they follow the shelter's rules.
BSWS represents a partnership between the City of Burien, King County, area churches, and members of the surrounding community.
In late 2018, the Ecumenical Leadership Council of Churches for Burien saw that the long term forecast showed there was likely to be a prolonged cold snap and heavy snow during the upcoming winter. At their January 2019 meeting, prompted a group of concerned individuals in Burien to address the lack of temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness. A shelter opened in early February at Highline United Methodist Church, and offered a place to sleep to about 35 guests for each of ten nights. Clothing, bedding and toiletries were collected; volunteers welcomed, checked-in and furnished guests with bedding, prepared and served hot dinners and breakfasts, stayed overnight, and interacted with guests.