Seattle's First Avenue Service Center was one of many service organizations seeking to help the homeless and others needing help. Located at 98 Union Street, the Center operated as a daytime drop-in center, with laundry, bathrooms, and shower, and it offered all-night shelter on cold nights. Late in 1979, it was announced that the Center would be evicted due to city redevelopment of the area. New space was found at 1313 1/2 First Avenue.

Here, Howard Vail sits at the First Avenue Service Center on Union Street. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, he "lost his home to several trendy shops, finds daytime shelter in the First Avenue Service Center and sleeps wherever he can."

Caption information source: The Seattle Times: December 23, 1979; November 25, 1980.
Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.