Thurston County homeless census counts fewer people in 2022
Apr. 28—The number of people counted in Thurston County's 2022 homeless census decreased compared to 2021, but several factors likely led to a comparative undercount.
Preliminary data released Wednesday shows 766 people were experiencing homelessness in Thurston County the night of Feb. 24. Of that total, 416 were unsheltered, 294 were in emergency shelter, and 56 people were in transitional housing.
People who were unsheltered included people in camps, vehicles, shacks, doorways and other places not meant for human habitation, according to a county news release.
In January 2021, the county found 1,145 people were experiencing homelessness. However, that count was based on observation rather than voluntary surveying. This year, the county opted for an abbreviated survey that many people declined to answer. Those people were not counted.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/thurston-county-homeless-census-counts-fewer-people-in-2022/ar-AAWHGxY