On January 26, Pierce County leaders, service providers, and volunteers surveyed people experiencing homelessness during the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count. The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to effectively allocate funds to support efforts to end homelessness. We counted 2,661 people on our streets and in our shelters; roughly 6,335 were connected to our homeless crisis response system during the same time.
Although the data shows a 23% increase in the total number of people experiencing homelessness since last year’s count, there was a small decrease in system utilization – the amount of people accessing services within our homeless crisis response system. Many people in the larger count are not literally homeless, but they are seeking services and may be at risk of experiencing homelessness. By including these people in the results, our hope is to reinforce the message that an end to homelessness also requires adequate support for those at risk.
“The 2024 PIT count validates what we all see in our communities; despite efforts by Pierce County, local cities and towns, and our strong community of service providers, we continue to see a rise in homelessness in Pierce County,” said Heather Moss, Pierce County Human Services director. “We continue to fund programs across the spectrum of interventions from prevention to permanent housing to address this important issue. We are optimistic that our efforts will continue helping many people every year and are particularly proud of the significant investments we are making in affordable housing projects across the county.”
Notable differences in this year’s count include a decrease in the amount of people self-reporting mental health as a disability. The number one cause reported for people experiencing homelessness changed from family crisis to a lack of affordable housing, reinforcing the need for different types of housing at all income levels. Further, the number of individuals reported to be Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) decreased by 8%. Despite the decrease, homelessness continues to disproportionally affect communities of color.
Every year our data shows that most people lived in Pierce County before experiencing homelessness, and 2024 was no different. When people lose housing, they tend to stay in the community they lived in previously. View our data dashboards for a more in-depth look at Pierce County’s homeless crisis response system.
To learn more about what Pierce County and its partners are doing to end homelessness in our community, visit www.piercecountywa.gov/homelessplan to read our Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness, get involved, and follow our progress.
Let’s take a closer look at the statistics not mentioned to get a better understanding of the problem.
Increase in sheltered 2023/2024: +4%
Increase in un-sheltered 2023/2024: +59% (!)
Clearly the incidence of homeless on the street has greatly increased relative to the increase in sheltered homeless. What percentage of this 59% increase are locals vs. out of area?
“The number one cause reported for people experiencing homelessness changed from family crisis to a lack of affordable housing, reinforcing the need for different types of housing at all income levels.”
I’d like to see the stats on this statement since from observation it appears that drug addiction and mental illness are the reasons for most homelessness. Government tends to opt for housing because that is easily defined both in numbers and cost but not necessarily as a solution. Mental illness and addiction are harder to quantify both as a problem and the effectiveness of programs as solutions. I’d suggest that the problem isn’t what’s over their heads but rather what’s inside their heads.
Wasn’t the 0.1% increase in the sales tax supposed to deal with some of these mental health and addiction issues? Where’s the accountability for the funded program effectiveness since the problem is growing at an unsustainable rate? What: another tax increase to ineffectively deal with homelessness?
“Further, the number of individuals reported to be Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) decreased by 8%. Despite the decrease, homelessness continues to disproportionally affect communities of color.”
The decrease in minority (must we still be calling them “colored people”… I thought that went out in the 1960’s) homelessness is encouraging. As long as you’re mentioning the 8% decrease how about including the actual percentage of minorities that are homeless? What exactly is the “disparity” and how does that play into any programs?
As the people footing the bill for all these programs, the result of which seems to be an increase in homelessness, we have the right to know where the money is going and whether it is being used effectively.
Bottom line is: the main problem is substance abuse and/or mental illness, not housing. Forcing someone into into rehab is counterproductive; they have to first want to get well. Allowing squatting on public property and, providing amenities, only enables and prolongs their self destructive behavior. Real compassion requires tough love. Progress can be made once a person is convinced, and realizes, a sober and healthful life is the better option for themselves.
Well, the more money you people shell out, the more homeless people come here. STOP!
When will people learn. Stop spending taxpayer money helping the homeless. There is drugs, mentally challenged people, crime, and illegal camping going on and citizens are fed up.
How come the TNT hasn’t reported how much money per year for the last ten years has been spent for the homeless? Hummmm, they have the numbers but they will never report it. You would be astounded.