A new estimate for the number of unhoused people in King County is out. 

Over the past two years, the new data shows a 9% increase in the homeless population on any given night in King County, and over 18,000 homeless people in the region.

One of the standout data points?  The new count also suggests a nearly 11 percent decrease in the number of Indigenous people who are unhoused in our region, since 2020.

And that should be good news.

But the county’s only urban housing and homelessness service provider dedicated to Native people says the latest figures represent an undercount. And according to them, it’s not the first time.


Guest


Derrick Belgarde, executive director, Chief Seattle Club

Related Links

The Chief Seattle club's initial statement 

King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024 - The Seattle Times

2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Initial Report - King County Regional Homelessness Authority


Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

A new estimate for the number of unhoused people in King County is out.&nbsp;
Over the past two years, the new data shows a 9% increase in the homeless population on any given night in King County, and over 18,000 homeless people in the region.
One of the standout data points? &nbsp;The new count also suggests a nearly 11 percent decrease in the number of Indigenous people who are unhoused in our region, since 2020.
And that should be good news.
But the county&rsquo;s only urban housing and homelessness service provider dedicated to Native people says the latest figures represent an undercount. And according to them, it&rsquo;s not the first time.
 Guest 
Derrick Belgarde, executive director, Chief Seattle Club Related Links <a href="https://www.chiefseattleclub.org/in-the-news">The Chief Seattle club's initial statement&nbsp;</a> <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/king-county-finds-9-rise-in-homelessness-since-2024/">King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024</a> - The Seattle Times <a href="https://kcrha.org/news-2026-point-in-time-pit-count-initial-report/">2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Initial Report</a> - King County Regional Homelessness Authority Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

"Past numbers have shown that chronic homelessness in King County’s Native population is higher than any other demographic," according to the Chief Seattle Club

Why one Seattle organization says new data doesn't measure Native homelessness accurately — again

Seattle will celebrate Pride this weekend: there's the parade downtown on Sunday and Pride Fest on Broadway in Capitol Hill. It's the culmination of a month of celebrations across the state, including one of the units at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. We caught up with one of the organizers of Pride there, which took place earlier this month.

Guest: 

Jennifer Jaylee, one of the organizers of the Pride celebration and member of the queer community support group, PEACE

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle will celebrate Pride this weekend: there's the parade downtown on Sunday and Pride Fest on Broadway in Capitol Hill. It's the culmination of a month of celebrations across the state, including one of the units at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. We caught up with one of the organizers of Pride there, which took place earlier this month.
Guest:&nbsp;
Jennifer Jaylee, one of the organizers of the Pride celebration and member of the queer community support group, PEACE
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We caught up with one of the organizers of Pride at Washington State Penitentiary, which took place earlier this month.

Pride celerbations are happening across WA during June, including in prisons

Our Thursday tradition continues with a big list of all the things to do outside of the Pride & World Cup of it all this weekend... That said, there ARE a ton of Pride & World Cup events, so don't miss out if that's your jam too!

LINKS:
Trans Pride Seattle 
Seattle PrideFest 
Seattle PrideFest - Capitol Hill 
Seattle PrideFest - Seattle Center 
Seattle Pride - Parade
Seattle Pride - Community Events
Queer/Pride Festival 
World Cup - Pride Match Day 2026 Seattle
Pirates Landing - Seafair
Rusty Scupper's Pirate Daze
Gobble Up SLU 
The Taste NW
Buckley Log Show
Kenmore Midsommarfest
Washington Summer Mead Festival

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Our Thursday tradition continues with a big list of all the things to do outside of the Pride &amp; World Cup of it all this weekend... That said, there ARE a ton of Pride &amp; World Cup events, so don't miss out if that's your jam too!
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://transprideseattle.org/">Trans Pride Seattle</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlepridefest.org/">Seattle PrideFest</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://seattleprideguide.com/capitolhill">Seattle PrideFest - Capitol Hill</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://seattleprideguide.com/seattlecenter">Seattle PrideFest - Seattle Center</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://seattlepride.org/events/parade">Seattle Pride - Parade</a></li>
<li><a href="https://seattlepride.org/events">Seattle Pride - Community Events</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.queerpridefestival.com/">Queer/Pride Festival</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlefwc26.org/community/pride/pride-match-day">World Cup - Pride Match Day 2026 Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seafair.org/event/pirates-landing/">Pirates Landing - Seafair</a></li>
<li><a href="https://rustyscupperspiratedaze.net/">Rusty Scupper's Pirate Daze</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gobbleupnorthwest.com/">Gobble Up SLU</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thefair.com/the-taste-nw/">The Taste NW</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cityofbuckley.com/220/Buckley-Log-Show">Buckley Log Show</a></li>
<li><a href="https://skandia-folkdance.org/midsommarfest.html">Kenmore Midsommarfest</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/washington-summer-mead-festival-tickets-1990431834197">Washington Summer Mead Festival</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

SO much to do, so little time! Pride, World Cup, Pirates, and MORE! Get out & enjoy your weekend!

Weekend Warmup - Things to do OTHER than Pride and the World Cup!

Has something like this happened to you before? 

You’re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on.

Eventually, you’re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship.

If so, you’re not alone. 

The phrase “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios.

In a recent viral post, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying “he left me”. The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail.

But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail?

Guest:
Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian

Related Link:
Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’?

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes - Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Has something like this happened to you before?&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on.
Eventually, you&rsquo;re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship.
If so, you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp;
The phrase &ldquo;Alpine Divorce&rdquo; was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios.
In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@everafteriya/video/7608301949011660045">recent viral post</a>, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying &ldquo;he left me&rdquo;. The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail.
But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail?
Guest:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian</li>
</ul>
Related Link:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2026/mar/17/alpine-divorce-abandoned-hiking-trail">Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What&rsquo;s behind &lsquo;alpine divorce&rsquo;?</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> - Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The phrase “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios.

Why one Seattle organization says new data doesn't measure Native homelessness accurately — again

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