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