The number of people counted in Thurston County's 2023 homeless census increased compared to 2022, but several factors still likely mean the official numbers are an undercount.
Preliminary data released Tuesday show 792 people were experiencing some form of homelessness on the night of Jan. 26. Of that total, 425 were identified a being unsheltered, 274 were in an emergency shelter, and 50 were in transitional housing.
A plurality of those who were surveyed were between 36 and 45 years old, said Keylee Marineau, the county's homeless prevention and affordable housing coordinator. Marineau shared the figures with the Board of County Commissioners during a Tuesday morning meeting.
In 2022, the county reported 766 people experiencing homelessness on the night of Feb. 24. Of that total, 416 were unsheltered, 294 were in emergency shelter, and 56 people were in transitional housing.
Though the data shows an increase in 2023, the PIT has historically undercounted the homeless population for various reasons. Some decline to participate in the survey. Enumerators may also miss those are not present at their camp during the count.
Methodologies also differ from year to year. In January 2021, the county found 1,145 people were experiencing homelessness. However, that count was based on observation rather than voluntary surveying.
For 2022, the county used an abbreviated survey and held no events. This year, the county used an extended survey and many households declined to participate, according to a county news release.
Additionally, the county held eight events that catered to different subpopulations, such as seniors, adults, youth and young adults. During these events, county staff and volunteers distributed survival gear and connected attendees with local services. They also offered hot food, haircuts, laundry, veterinary care and more, according to the news release.
United Way of Thurston County helped recruit more than 60 volunteers to participate in events and the survey gathering.
As part of the extended survey, respondents were asked to share their last permanent address. Of those surveyed, 63.4% stated that they last resided in Thurston County, Marineau said.
She said 9.3% indicated they last resided in Pierce, Mason or Lewis counties, 17.6% stated somewhere else in Washington and 9.7% identified as being out-of-state.
The report indicates 56.9% of those surveyed identified as male and 39.2% identified as female. The remainder identified as non-binary, trans, other, questioning or refused to say.
About 14% of respondents said they were fleeing domestic violence and 3% identified as veterans, according to the report.
The county also identified 68 vehicles and 14 RVs where people lived, Marineau said. However, these numbers will not be included in the final count because the people who occupied those vehicles were not surveyed.
Marineau said the county surveyed 51 individuals who were temporarily staying with friends or family. She said these people could be considered homeless by some definitions but not others.
"Although they are officially unsheltered and experiencing homelessness in Thurston County, they're not part of the official (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) count."
Additionally, Marineau said the county identified six people who did not have a permanent address but were living or residing in local jails or hospitals the night of the census.
In response to a question from Commissioner Tye Menser, Marineau said the county surveyed just over 50 children up to 17 years old and about 20 young adults between 18 and 24 years old.
About 75% of "households" were categorized as adults only, and 25% included at least one adult and one child, according to the report.
Commissioner Carolina Mejia asked Marineau if those figures align with data collected through schools by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Marineau said they do not.
"Those (OSPI) numbers are much higher than what we get on the PIT," Marineau said. "The PIT requires that survey and direct consent to participate."
She added a number of families experiencing homelessness are usually not counted because they often live in vehicles or away from encampments.
"There's always an undercount with the PIT and particularly, I think, with families with children," Marineau said.
The data presented in the preliminary report will be cross-checked with by the Washington State Department of Commerce to account for any duplications or ineligible surveys, according to the county's news release.
The report indicates final, comprehensive data will be released in June or July.
