Politics & Government

Homeless Count Finds 2,736 People Without Shelter in King County

The one-night survey took place Thursday night and included 142 more individuals than last year's count.

 

A one-night survey of King County's homeless population found 2,736 people without shelter on Thursday night, according to the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. The number does not include those sleeping in shelters or other temporary housing locations.

The 2013 total marks a 5-percent increase from 2012, when 2,594 individuals were counted, including a 43 percent increase in the number of individuals counted on the Eastside.

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But, organizers said this year's count included some new areas, and the increase in places that were counted last year amounts to about 2 percent (see attached PDF).

Of the 2,736 that were counted, 197 were found on the Eastside and 106 on the North End. The majority of individuals—631—were discovered in cars or trucks.

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The count helps advise public officials on the progress of King County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, which started in 2005. More than 900 volunteers helped count individuals in parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Kent, Federal Way, Renton, Auburn and White Center.

Organizers say its survey results are likely under-counts, as not all areas are searched and many people make efforts to stay hidden from volunteers.

2013 totals from the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness:


Seattle Kent North End Eastside White Center Federal Way Renton Night Owl Buses Auburn Total

Men

597

7

68

96

4

31

22

66

6

897

Women

133

3

21

26

0

4

2

14

2

205

Gender unknown

1241

43

17

75

47

83

59

1

49

1615

Minor (under 18)

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

19

Total

1989

53

106

197

51

118

83

82

57

2736

Benches

11

0

0

1

0

2

2

0

0

16

Parking Garages

22

2

0

1

0

0

3

0

0

28

Cars/Trucks

631

8

14

52

31

78

37

0

27

878

Structures

292

4

3

8

16

15

11

0

4

353

Under roadways

194

8

2

6

0

2

8

0

5

225

Doorways

139

13

0

5

2

1

2

0

1

163

City Parks

5

7

1

0

0

0

0

0

10

23

Bushes/Undergrowth

69

3

0

8

0

0

2

0

6

88

Bus stops

32

0

4

0

0

1

3

0

0

40

Alleys

46

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

48

Walking Around

257

6

6

7

2

18

8

0

1

305

Other

291

1

76

109

0

0

7

82

3

569

Total

1989

53

106

197

51

118

83

82

57

2736

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What do you think should be done to help alleviate homelessness in King County? Tell us in the comments section.


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