Finalized Thurston County homeless census counted more people in 2024. New census starts soon
Thurston County counted 212 more people who are homeless in 2024 than it did in 2023, final data from annual count shows.
The data showed 952 people were counted as experiencing homelessness the night of Jan. 25, 2024, when the county last held its annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count Homeless Census. Of that total, 460 people were in emergency shelters, 334 people were unsheltered and 158 people were in transitional housing.
The final count confirms a continued upward trend. The county reported totals of 740 in 2023 and 724 in 2022, although it hit an all-time high of 1,145 in 2021, according to the report. Notably, the report found the number of available shelter beds had not significantly increased from 2023 to 2024 to accommodate the continued high levels of unsheltered homelessness.
The census, which is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is conducted every January in partnership with community organizations and volunteers.
Although the total has risen since 2022, the PIT is believed to consistently undercount the local homeless population due to various challenges. Undercounts result from some people declining to participate in the count, which requires completion of a survey. Enumerators also miss people who are not present during the count.
Still, the report says the data and the trends it reveals are “invaluable” to the county in its efforts to address homelessness.
Methodologies have changed over the years, affecting the ability to compare numbers year to year. The county landed on the 1,145 total for 2021 by using observation rather than volunteer surveying, for instance.
In 2022, the county used an abbreviated survey and held no events. The county opted for an extended survey in 2023 and many declined to participate, The Olympian previously reported.
For 2024, the county held several events where it conducted PIT surveys and shared resources with people experiencing homelessness. Each of these events targeted specific groups of people, including seniors, adults, youth and young adults, according to a Thursday news release.
The county says attendees were given survival gear such as blankets, winter gloves, hand warmers, rechargeable headlamps, duffle bags, hygiene kits, socks and other clothing.
Additionally, the events offered connections to services, food, haircuts, foot care and veterinary care for pets.
Breaking down the data
Among those living in unsheltered homelessness, 172 slept in a vehicle, 75 slept on the street or sidewalk, 66 slept in a tent, 20 slept in an RV or boat lacking power, and one slept in an abandoned building.
About 65% of participants (614) identified as a “household without children” and 35% participants (332) identified as a “household with children.” Less than 10 people identified as a household with only children.
Surveyors also asked participants if one or more members of their household identified as men, women, transgender or non-binary. About 54% of the total count were identified as men, 43% identified as women and just 3% identified as transgender or non-binary.
About 70.9% identified as white, 14.6% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% identified as multi-racial, 10.7% identified as Black, African American or African, 3.9% identified as American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous, 1.6% identified as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and less than 0.4% identified as Asian or Asian American.
About 21% of respondents said they were under 18 and less than 3% identified as over 65. People in both those age categories are considered more vulnerable and at risk for experiencing long-term detrimental impacts and effects due to homelessness.
However, the report found that 51.2% of respondents said they were 24 years old or younger when they first experienced homelessness.
The report states 79% of individuals who reported their previous residence said they were from Thurston County or a neighboring county. Only 8% identified as coming from out of state.
Of those who reported being from Thurston County, 75% said they had lived in the county for 2 or more years.
Twelve counties in Washington state counted 400 or more individuals experiencing homelessness in their PIT counts. Among those, Thurston County ranked sixth for 31.8 people experiencing homelessness per 10,000 population.
King County had the highest rate at 62 and Snohomish County had the lowest rate at 13.7.
Neighboring Pierce County had 2.8 times more people experiencing some form of homelessness than Thurston County, yet their rate per 10,000 people was lower than Thurston County at about 28.7.
More data can found in the finalized 2024 report on the Thurston County website.
Preliminary PIT count data released last April showed a total of 864 people were experiencing homelessness in Thurston County — 88 fewer than the finalized data shows.
The county’s news release says PIT Count data is cross-checked by Department of Commerce staff to account for any duplications or ineligible surveys.
What’s next?
The next PIT Count will be held from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6. People interested in volunteering can sign up via an online form hosted by the United Way of Thurston County, the coordinating agency.
Thurston County uses the PIT Count to inform its homeless response. Part of that effort includes developing a Local Homeless Housing Plan for 2025 to 2030, a five-year road map that identifies state and county activities and goals.
The state Department of Commerce requires local jurisdictions to submit such a plan every five years. These plans are used to inform a State Strategic Plan and Annual Report to the state legislature, according to county documents.
The county’s Office of Housing & Homeless Prevention is leading a team of representatives from local organizations to develop the plan.
A public engagement period is expected to start in late January with a community survey followed by targeted outreach events in March and April. The plan will be drafted from May to August and finalized in the fall.
The Board of County Commissioners is expected to approve the final plan in November and submit it to Commerce before the end of the year.
This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM.
