EVERETT — He was experiencing homelessness for the first time.
The man, age 50, asked to be referred to as “K” as he walked along Casino Road in Everett on Tuesday after taking part in a survey with Amanda Amoruso and Momodou Jobe, volunteers of Snohomish County’s annual Point-in-Time count.
“Most people are happy and willing to do the survey,” Amoruso said during the two-hour walk around Casino Road. “Sometimes you have negative interactions.”
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Amoruso was assigned the area of Everett, along with Jobe, Rachel McGee and Toni Gardner, to find individuals experiencing homelessness. The annual count provides a snapshot of homelessness in Snohomish County on a single day in January.
Other teams worked out of headquarters in Lynnwood, Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood and Granite Falls from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., spokesperson Mohamed Bughrara said in an interview.
The Everett headquarters had 85 volunteers sign up, said Carrie Wertz, the area coordinator with Catholic Community Services. This is Wertz’s 10th year taking part in the count, her fifth as an area coordinator.
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Amoruso has volunteered for the Point-in-Time count for six years.
“This work is so important,” she said. “I want the resources for the community. There are so many organizations that need the support to help the homeless.”
The count is required by the federal government and the state, which both use the results to guide assistance funding priorities.
The survey includes demographic information and health questions, among others. The data also helps local organizations better understand the homeless people they serve.
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Before each survey, volunteers are instructed to ask whether the individual knows anyone who is experiencing homelessness to avoid profiling.
“Well, me, technically,” “K” said in response.
He works for The Home Depot, but dealt with ongoing illnesses and then got injured, he said after the survey. Unable to work, he missed a few rent payments but remained in good spirits.
“I’ve never let things like this bother me,” he said. “People at work ask me why I’m not more bothered.”
He utilized Workforce Snohomish services to find his job at The Home Depot and recently attended a few food drives.
“If all else fails, I can move to another state and move in with family,” he said.
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The results of this year’s count are expected to be released in May or early June, Bughrara said.
On Jan. 22, 2025, the county identified 1,140 people either living without shelter or in transitional housing or a shelter, a 1.8% decrease from 2024 and an 11% decrease from 2023.
It can be hard to know why more or fewer people are counted each year, Amoruso said.
“It’s so hit or miss depending on the location or the weather,” she said.
This year, the comparibly warm winter weather — almost 50 degrees midday — could mean more people are outside. Last year, near-freezing temperatures meant cold weather shelters were open.
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This team was instructed to not enter buildings for safety reasons. Other teams count sheltered individuals, some travel with police or receive extra training for potentially more dangerous situations.
The group of four visited parks, looked behind gas stations and even accessible open spaces along the freeway.
Most of the conversations continue past the survey, Amoruso said. “People are looking for help with services.”
One person continued to ask for help — not for herself, but for her friend.
Other than a giveaway bag that includes items to help keep warm, the volunteers don’t have much to help in the moment. They instructed people to call the state’s 211 helpline or visit the Carnegie Resource Center in Everett.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Toni Gardner’s name.
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
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