27 Jan This year’s One Night Count of homeless up slightly

The 32nd annual One Night Count of homeless people in King County took place in the early hours of Friday, January 27. 800 volunteers fanned out across the county to count the number of men, women and children who are homeless and without shelter tonight. They counted people trying to survive in cars, tents, all night buses, select hospitals, or curled up in blankets under bridges or in doorways.

Findings

• 2,594 men, women and children had no shelter in King County last night, a small increase over those found without shelter last year.
• 800 volunteers counted people in 13 cities across King County.

Why does the Count take place? The primary purpose of the One Night Count is to document how many people still lack basic shelter. The results are impossible to misinterpret: several thousand men, women, and children lack safety and stability. Alison Eisinger, organizer of the Count and the Executive Director of the Coalition, says, “There’s another reason for the Count. When hundreds of people see their neighbors sleeping on cardboard or riding buses to keep warm, they are shocked and saddened. We want them to be inspired to urge their local and state officials to address these needs with resources.”

This morning’s count focuses on people surviving outside without shelter; it does not include those who are staying in shelters and transitional housing. A full report that also includes the number of people in shelters and transitional housing will be released in the spring. Last year, volunteers found 2,442 people surviving outside, without shelter, and another 6,382 in shelters and transitional housing programs.

Organizers recognize that this morning’s count is an undercount of people without shelter on this night. Counters can reach only a portion of the geographic area of the county, and many homeless people sleep in hard-to-reach places.

Bill Block, Director of the Committee to End Homeless, which implements the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County, said, “The street count is only a snapshot, which can be influenced by a number of factors. We know without our prevention and housing programs, thousands more people would be on the streets. Even in the face of the recession, we know that our investments can reduce the number of people who are homeless — that happened last year and the year before.”

Our community continues to be committed to finding solutions to homelessness. This effort, supported by governments, faith communities, non-profits, businesses, homeless and formerly homeless people, has helped to develop over 4,000 housing units, with an additional 800 in the pipeline. The outpouring of volunteers participating reflects a strong and growing community resolve to end homelessness.

The Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH), www.homelessinfo.org, works collaboratively to ensure safety and survival for people who are homeless, and to end the crisis of homelessness in our region. For more information about the One Night Count please contact Alison Eisinger at 206.357.3148 or alison@homelessinfo.org.

For more information about the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, please contact Bill Block at 206-263-9001 or bill.block@kingcounty.gov.