Welcome to Skagit County
March 9th, 2005
OVER A THOUSAND HOMELESS IN SKAGIT COUNTY
On January 26th of 2005, volunteers and service organizations throughout Skagit County participated in the Annual Homeless Count. This one-day count of the homeless population found a total of 1,182 people living without a home, and over half of those people (667) are living in households with two or more people. According to a spokesperson from the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, Skagit County has one of the highest populations of homeless people per capita in the state.
The count also involved a survey of the homeless population. This survey reports that: 34% of the homeless people counted listed the cause of homelessness as inability to pay rent or mortgage, 13% due to drug and alcohol use, 12% because of mental illness, and 9% are homeless because of a job loss. The survey discovered that 36% of the people counted have been homeless for one month or less. It also found that 40% of the individuals and families are temporarily living with family or friends, 18% in transitional housing, 16% are living in an emergency shelter, 12% are living out-of-doors, and 11% are living in a vehicle. Another fact that this count revealed is that one-third of the total number of homeless people in Skagit County are children.
The total of this count represents the number of people that could be found during that one day and who were willing to admit that they are homeless. The actual number is likely much greater than 1,182.
The Skagit County Coalition To End Homelessness coordinated the event and the following organizations participated in the count: Skagit County Community Action Agency, NW Youth Services, Friendship House, The Salvation Army, Anacortes 100 Food Bank, Alger Food Bank, Helping Hands Food Bank, YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter, Department of Corrections, Swinomish Tribal Authority, Planned Parenthood, NW Homeless Veteran's Coordinating Council, Sea Mar Homeless Program, Compass Health, DSHS Mt. Vernon CSO, NW ESD 189, Anacortes Community Shelter Project, Service Alternatives, and the Marblemount Bread of Life Food Bank. Many volunteers also donated their time to make this event possible.
Contact: Nancy Williams
Family Development Specialist
NancyW@skagitcap.org
Telephone: (360) 416-7585
Fax: (360) 416-7599