Last year’s Snohomish County Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on Jan. 22, 2024, revealed 1,161 people experiencing homelessness in 945 households. This was a 9.6% decrease from 2023 by 124 people, reflecting the impact of ongoing community efforts.
The PIT Count showed a notable decrease in homelessness, with the number of unsheltered people surveyed dropping to 625 individuals. Demographic shifts were observed, including increases in individuals identifying as American Indian, Black, Asian, and Pacific Islander. Additionally, a new category for Middle Eastern/North African individuals was added. Gender and age trends highlighted more men (60.5%) and fewer women (38.4%), along with an increase in individuals aged 65 and older.
This year’s upcoming count is Thursday, Jan. 23. To ask about volunteering, contact Snoco-PITCount@snoco.org or call 425-388-3922.
A total of 274 volunteers supported last year’s count, covering the four quadrants of Snohomish County. These volunteers were trained to engage with the homeless population effectively and use survey tools properly. Their involvement was crucial in ensuring the accuracy and reach of the count.
“Training is provided at each community site the day of the Point in Time Count. The training includes how to utilize the survey application, how to approach participants, and information about the survey questions,” County Human Services Department spokesperson Mohamed Bughrara said.
While the PIT Count provides only a snapshot, it is an important tool for shaping policy and funding decisions.
“HUD sets the annual federal priorities for funding based on national data, trends, the federal strategic plan, and/or any Congressional priorities in annual appropriations,” Bughrara said. HUD-mandated surveys gathered important data, such as homelessness location and type, demographic details, barriers to housing, and chronic homelessness history. This information played a significant role in the county securing $16.1 million in HUD funding for 2024, which supports various initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness in the county.
Several initiatives are being implemented in Snohomish County to address homelessness.
“Snohomish County Human Services is in the process of converting two hotels into emergency bridge housing. We anticipate the Edmonds and Everett New Start Centers will be open in the Summer of 2025 and will add over 120 units of needed emergency housing,” Bughrara said.
Expanded housing efforts include 65 new emergency beds at the Everett Gospel Mission and HVAC upgrades at more than 20 sites to provide relief during extreme weather conditions. Additional units for rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing are also being introduced, along with enhanced navigation services to help individuals access resources and housing opportunities.
Reaching unsheltered people to include in the count remains challenging.
“There may be some distrust in the system and/or some people may not want to be found. People experiencing homelessness may also move frequently and may not be in usual locations on the day of the PIT Count,” Bughrara said.
To address these issues, the PIT Count extended its efforts with a six-day service-based survey following the initial count, targeting individuals who were harder to reach on the day of the event.
The community plays an essential role in addressing homelessness by volunteering, donating, and supporting local agencies. Direct involvement not only helps those in need but also fosters greater awareness and empathy among residents.
“When the community works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness, it builds understanding and empathy, ultimately contributing to more sustainable solutions,” Bughrara said.
