one night count

For over 30 years, Seattle/King County Coalition for the Homeless (SKCCH) and Operation Nightwatch have organized the One Night Count, tallying how many people are without shelter. The count helps us understand the extent of homelessness in King County and build action around the issue.

On January 27th, 2012, beginning at 2am, volunteers counted 2,594 unsheltered adults, seniors and children in King County on this dark, cold night. Many homeless women will hide or bundle their faces for safety and health reasons when sleeping unsheltered.

6,236 people were counted in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs during the One Night Count, bringing the total number of homeless people counted in King County to over 8,830. This is a 6% increase from the previous year's count.

We will never be able to count those who stayed a rare night in a motel for warmth, on a friend or family member’s couch or in a well-hidden location. “But,” says Director Alison Eisinger of the Seattle/King County Coalition for the Homeless, “it’s hard to look at the numbers and not be saddened and outraged. I’m saddened because the numbers represent real men, women and children who are struggling to survive.”

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