Thurston County homeless census counts fewer people in 2022
The number of people counted in Thurston County’s 2022 homeless census decreased compared to 2021, but several factors likely led to a comparative undercount.
Preliminary data released Wednesday shows 766 people were experiencing homelessness in Thurston County the night of Feb. 24. Of that total, 416 were unsheltered, 294 were in emergency shelter, and 56 people were in transitional housing.
People who were unsheltered included people in camps, vehicles, shacks, doorways and other places not meant for human habitation, according to a county news release.
In January 2021, the county found 1,145 people were experiencing homelessness. However, that count was based on observation rather than voluntary surveying. This year, the county opted for an abbreviated survey that many people declined to answer. Those people were not counted.
In the county’s news release, Keylee Marineau, the county’s Homeless Response and Program Manager, said the point-in-time (PIT) census doesn’t just count people, it helps the county better understand the circumstances of those who are unsheltered and unstably housed.
“It is through collaborative efforts such as the PIT that we can hopefully gain perspective of who in our county is experiencing homelessness and why,” Marineau said. “We all want to find solutions, and we cannot do that without hearing from those who are most in need of them.”
The county usually conducts the census on the fourth Thursday in January, but this year’s census was delayed a month because of a surge in COVID-19 cases, The Olympian previously reported. Surveys were also conducted over a week to reach more people.
The PIT count has historically undercounted the homeless population for various reasons. In addition to people declining a survey, enumerators miss those who are not present at their camp or place of residence during the count, for example.
The census also doesn’t count those who are temporarily staying with a friend or family members, or those who are in jail or a hospital, according to the report.
Preliminary data breakdown
In the PIT count, Olympia led the county with 233 people experiencing homelessness, and Yelm came in second with 56 people.
About 25 people were surveyed in Lacey and just one person was surveyed in Tumwater, the report says. About 101 people did not have a city designation.
About 72% of those surveyed previously had a permanent address in Thurston County, per the report. Those from neighboring Pierce, Mason and Lewis counties made up 13% and those from other areas in Washington made up 11%.
Just 4% of those surveyed previously had a permanent address outside of Washington state, according to the report.
Among 350 unsheltered individuals, the report says 128 came from households with children and 220 were single adults.
Men made up 57% of unsheltered individuals surveyed, while women accounted for 40%. About 1% were transgender or non-binary. No gender information was collected for the remaining 2%.
About 55% were between the ages of 25-48, according to the report. Those under 17 accounted for the second largest group at 19%, while those 49-65 made up 16%.
Just 7% of those surveyed were between the ages of 18-24 and 3% were over 65.
During the count, staff and volunteers distributed 370 solar and hand-crank rechargeable flashlights, 295 meal-sized burritos and 800 hygiene kits. They also counted 86 homestead vehicles, according to the report.
Those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless can call Thurston County’s Coordinated Entry Shelter and Housing Hotline at 1-844-628-7343.
This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
