Contact:
Jackie Anderson
Division Manager
JackieM.Anderson@snoco.org
(425) 388-3237
Point in Time Count Final 2016 Report Released
EVERETT, Wash., June 2, 2016 – Today Snohomish County announced the publication of the final 2016 Point in Time Count Report. The Report is the tenth published to date and is available on the Snohomish County website.
The annual Point in Time (PIT) count conducted by volunteers and County staff on January 28, 2016 surveyed 1,118 persons in 878 households who did not have a permanent place to stay. Persons ranged in age from 44 days to 91 years old who were unsheltered, staying in emergency shelters, or living in temporary housing. This year’s report focuses on demographics, migration, causes of homelessness, and historical trends. Supplemental homeless survey data is reported on populations of interest such as military veterans and unaccompanied youth.
“It is necessary to understand a problem before you can fix it. The annual Point-in-Time count allows us to quantify the homelessness problem in Snohomish County,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “It is not one thing that propels our neighbors into homelessness. Rather, it is usually multiple impacts, including the heroin epidemic, lingering effects of the Great Recession, and exploding housing costs. All of these conspire to drive our homeless numbers higher. We must take a systemic approach to help these most vulnerable members of our community.”
The annual count is a key measure used to inform priorities for state and federal funding and helps gauge progress towards ending homelessness for vulnerable individuals and families. The analysis and overall trends are utilized by the Everett/Snohomish County Continuum of Care Program to address needs and track progress toward goals to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness.
Results for 2016 showed an increase in the number of unsheltered persons. “This is of great concern to our community, and we know that there are many complicated reasons that people become homeless. But regardless of cause, we must work to reduce human suffering and provide a path forward for these men, women, and children. The County has implemented a best practice where social workers accompany law enforcement to help people access treatment, services, and shelter/housing,” said Mary Jane Vujovic, Human Services Director.
Outreach workers and navigators were able to assist a number of people during the count to begin accessing needed services, shelter or housing. County staff wish to thank all the volunteers and agency staff who made the count possible.
The final report may be downloaded at http://snohomishcountywa.gov/2857/Point-In-Time
The Snohomish County Human Services Department helps all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community. The Housing &Community Services Division administers a wide range of programs that provide affordable housing, community development, and related services to low-income and homeless persons.