County’s homeless population grows 9 percent over 2016

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, March 8, 2017

EVERETT — The number of people living without homes or shelter rose in Snohomish County compared to last year, according to an annual survey.

Social workers and volunteers who fanned out across the community to conduct the Point-In-Time homeless count found 515 people, a 9 percent increase over 2016. They also identified more people who were chronically homeless.

“It’s disturbing that even with our expanded efforts to prevent homelessness, more people continue to fall victim to the housing market, mental health challenges, addiction and economic dislocation,” County Executive Dave Somers said in a prepared statement. “Chronic homelessness is tough to fight when affordable rental units are nearly non-existent. To relieve human suffering, we need to find innovative ways to help our fellow residents find a place to call home and get the treatment they need.”

The county Human Services Department conducts the count for one day each January in partnership with social service agencies and volunteers. Results help tailor programs to fit local needs and to apply for grant funding.

This year’s count took place Jan. 24. County officials released preliminary numbers Tuesday. A more detailed report is due out later this year.

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Point-In-Time participants interviewed people living on the streets, in abandoned vehicles, at emergency shelters, transitional housing and other places, including those not fit for habitation.

During the 2016 count, 1,118 people were surveyed. Of those, 471 reported being unsheltered. Another 489 were without permanent places to stay and were in emergency shelters or transitional housing. The 2016 count found 58 military veterans. The homeless people counted last year ranged in age from 44 days to 91 years old.

The 2017 tally revealed more people with multiple disabling conditions, such as mental health disorders, substance abuse problems or chronic medical conditions.

County Human Services director Mary Jane Brell Vujovic said that’s an issue of great concern and that there are many reasons behind it. Although the numbers of homeless people have been going up, Brell Vujovic said the county and its partner agencies have succeeded in steering more people toward permanent housing to slow the trend.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.