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

Spokane County's recent Point-in-Time Count shows a continued decline in homelessness, with the number of sheltered individuals dropping from 1,578 to 1,189. Conducted on January 22, the count surveyed 1,806 individuals across Spokane County and used enhanced methodologies for better accuracy. Outreach teams focused on known unsheltered areas, which contributed to a rise in the unsheltered count to 617. Mayor Lisa Brown emphasized the city’s strategy to navigate individuals toward treatment and stable housing as a successful approach. The city has also reported an 80 percent success rate in housing referrals through its Encampment Resolution Program.

Additionally, the count revealed that 43 percent of surveyed adults reported serious mental illness, while 52 percent had substance use disorders. Despite the overall decline, the 16 percent vacancy rate in emergency shelters indicates challenges, particularly for youth and young adults. Moving forward, Spokane plans to expand shelter capacity based on actual usage to continue addressing homelessness effectively.