Annual Snapshot Estimate of Spokane County's Homeless Population Shows Overall Decrease for Second Year in a Row

Spokane County's annual Point-in-Time Count shows a second consecutive decline in homelessness, reporting 1,189 individuals in shelters, down from 1,578 last year. Conducted on January 22, the count surveyed a total of 1,806 individuals across the county, including Spokane and Spokane Valley. The methodology improved this year, deploying volunteers with outreach teams to known encampments, enhancing data accuracy. While the number of sheltered individuals decreased, there was a notable rise in unsheltered individuals, from 443 to 617. Mayor Lisa Brown highlighted the city’s strategy of navigating individuals toward treatment and housing as a successful approach.

The city has also closed four encampments since the count, achieving an 80 percent success rate in housing referrals. Other data points reveal that 43 percent of adults surveyed reported serious mental illness, and 52 percent struggled with substance use. The city plans to continue expanding shelter capacity to provide safe accommodations for those in need.