A one-night survey of King County's homeless population found 2,736 people without shelter on Thursday night, according to the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. The number does not include those sleeping in shelters or other temporary housing locations.
The 2013 total marks a 5-percent increase from 2012, when 2,594 individuals were counted. But organizers said this year's count included some new areas, and the increase in places that were counted last year amounts to about 2 percent (see attached PDF).
Of the 2,736 that were counted, 197 were found on the Eastside and 106 on the North End. The majority of individuals—631—were discovered in cars or trucks.
The count helps advise public officials on the progress of King County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, which started in 2005. More than 900 volunteers helped count individuals in parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Kent, Federal Way, Renton, Auburn and White Center.
Organizers say its survey results are likely under-counts, as not all areas are searched — such as Mercer Island, Issaquah and Sammamish — and many people make efforts to stay hidden from volunteers.
2013 totals from the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness:
Seattle Kent North End Eastside White Center Federal Way Renton Night Owl Buses Auburn Total
Men
597
7
68
96
4
31
22
66
6
897
Women
133
3
21
26
0
4
2
14
2
205
Gender unknown
1241
43
17
75
47
83
59
1
49
1615
Minor (under 18)
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
19
Total
1989
53
106
197
51
118
83
82
57
2736
Benches
11
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
0
16
Parking Garages
22
2
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
28
Cars/Trucks
631
8
14
52
31
78
37
0
27
878
Structures
292
4
3
8
16
15
11
0
4
353
Under roadways
194
8
2
6
0
2
8
0
5
225
Doorways
139
13
0
5
2
1
2
0
1
163
City Parks
5
7
1
0
0
0
0
0
10
23
Bushes/Undergrowth
69
3
0
8
0
0
2
0
6
88
Bus stops
32
0
4
0
0
1
3
0
0
40
Alleys
46
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
48
Walking Around
257
6
6
7
2
18
8
0
1
305
Other
291
1
76
109
0
0
7
82
3
569
Total
1989
53
106
197
51
118
83
82
57
2736
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What do you think should be done to help alleviate homelessness in King County? Tell us in the comments section.
