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

Spokane County's latest Point-in-Time Count indicates a decline in homelessness for the second consecutive year, with 1,806 individuals surveyed. Sheltered homelessness decreased from 1,578 to 1,189, while unsheltered individuals increased from 443 to 617. This rise is linked to enhanced survey methods, which focused on outreach teams visiting known encampments. Mayor Lisa Brown noted that consistent engagement and navigation to treatment and housing are key to the city's approach. The City of Spokane has invested in the Encampment Resolution Program, closing four encampments and achieving an 80% success rate in housing referrals.

The new navigation center-specialized site model has shown promising results, placing individuals into permanent housing. Other data points reveal that 43% of surveyed adults suffer from serious mental illness, and 52% report substance use disorders. These figures highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness while also showcasing the city's efforts to create effective solutions.