Data from the 2024 Point-in-Time Count Homeless Census (PIT) has been released and finalized by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services and shows 952 individuals in the county experienced homelessness at a single point in time — on Jan. 25, 2024.
The data reports the number of individuals in Thurston County that are experiencing unsheltered homelessness, staying in shelters or going through transitional housing programs as of Jan. 25, 2024, according to a press release from the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners.
On the night of Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, 952 individuals experienced homelessness within the county, including 158 in transitional housing, 460 people in emergency shelters, and 334 at encampments, tents, RVs or other vehicles, structures or “places not meant for human habitation.”
The count in 2024 increased by around 212 people compared with 2023. According to the media release, Thurston County, in partnership with Regional Housing Council and community service providers, works to improve the Homeless Crisis Response System and follows the funding requirements from the state and federal government.
Thurston County intends to improve homeless response efforts from 2025 to 2030, and plans to execute this through Thurston County Office of Housing & Homeless Prevention staff leading a core team of stakeholders. This development process will allow opportunities for public engagement, including a community survey next month.
Seven different events were held while conducting PIT surveys and resources. These events focused on the sub-populations of seniors, adults, youth and young adults. Attendants at these events received survival gear such as blankets, winter gloves, hand warmers, rechargeable headlamps, duffel bags, hygiene kits, socks and other winter clothing items.
The PIT survey is conducted every January by Thurston County Homeless Crisis Response System and community volunteers of individuals living in the county. The annual event is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and takes place over one week starting the last Thursday of January. During the series of events, attendants are asked where they stayed on the third Thursday night of January in order to count the homeless population at that specific point in time.
For questions about this year’s PIT count, contact River Blake, homeless program and data specialist, at river.blake@co.thurston.wa.us.