Thurston County’s Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) will hold its annual Point in Time Count (PIT) Annual Homeless Census starting Thursday, January 25.
This census will gather county homelessness information through surveys, outreach, and events to drive engagement.
“The Point in Time (PIT) Annual Homeless Census is occurring on Thursday, January 25,” according to Thurston County Homeless Response Program Manager Keylee Marineau, speaking at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday “That is the night of the count. [In addition,] there will be a number of activities and events on Friday, January 26, including a homeless connect event at Sergio’s Day Center off of Martin Way between 1 and 5 p.m.,” Marineau added.
In addition, there will also be senior services and youth and young adult events while the office is conducting the count.
The PIT count is taken each year to comply with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards.
The 2023 PIT Homeless Census Report garnered over 60 volunteers and 40 community partner agencies to assist the count.
Out of 344 surveys completed last year, results showed that 437 residents were unsheltered, 253 were in emergency shelters, and 50 were in transitional housing.
Most homeless individuals were males, adults aged 25-44, and households without children.
The most recurring causes of homelessness among last year’s respondents were loss of housing or eviction, job loss or unemployment, and family rejection, according to the county’s report.
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OlyGuy
"Most homeless individuals were males, adults aged 25-44, and households without children." Exactly, the homeless outreach here is dumping money into able bodied men that can work while low income families that actually work struggle to make ends meet. Good job Olympia, be a bastion of safety for criminals in the Jungle and allow these young men to take advantage of your "compassion".
Friday, January 12 Report this
JW
Transients nationwide coming to Olympia, residing here for six months, and then counting as "local homeless" by this census.
I wonder what is driving the eviction and job losses...is it perhaps...drugs? Could it be we're enabling an entire population of drug users to live on the streets so they can keep using drugs and preying on everyone else?
Friday, January 12 Report this
Oly1963
OK - this makes no sense:
"Out of 344 surveys completed last year, results showed that 437 residents were unsheltered, 253 were in emergency shelters, and 50 were in transitional housing." Who is paying for the 344 surveys? Another expense, paid for by....YOU and ME! 437 - that's 59% choose to be "unsheltered". Meaning they don't want to be in a shelter where there are rules about conduct, drugs and alcohol.
Why are they just counting the number? Isn't it more important to understand how many spots in shelters and those stupid tiny homes are going unused? How many of these homeless are taking advantage of opportunities to get out of their current situation either through substance abuse programs or psychiatric assistance or other programs? How many are successful and actually complete the programs?
If we continue to look at this just from one side we will never change. Stop spending my money where it does no good to address the issues. I completely agree with OlyGuy - these are overall able bodied people who choose to be there. Let's be honest about it and go from there.
Friday, January 19 Report this