BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A Point In Time count of Whatcom County’s homeless population shows a big increase from a year ago.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services Housing Supervisor Chris D’Onofrio says the 27 percent increase is one of the biggest they have seen.
“This something that we’re seeing around the state, and I would attribute it mostly to the rise in housing prices,” said D’Onofrio. “There’s some pretty convincing research that’s been done showing strong correlations between the increase in cost of rent and an increase in homelessness.”
The survey found a continued upward trend in the number of homeless families and elderly people.
It also found that 39 percent of the people surveyed took refuge the previous night in a tent, vehicle, doorway or similar location.
“That’s probably the number that’s most alarming to me is that increase in the number of people who are unsheltered, as we call it,” said D’Onofrio. “There were spaces available at Basecamp on the night of the count, but for some people that’s not a viable option for them.”
He says the types of shelter that are needed are almost as varied as are the individuals experiencing homelessness.
Overall, the survey found 1,059 homeless people on the night of the survey, up from 832 last year.
D’Onofrio says that is likely an undercount as surveyors could not contact everyone and some did not want to be interviewed.