True

The 2023 point in time count confirmed that racial minorities continue to experience homelessness at disproportionate rates compared to white individuals. Of those the most affected, Pacific Islander, Black and American Indian individuals experience homelessness at rates of 10x, 4x and 3x respectively above those who identified as being white.

False

The demand for shelter beds far exceeds capacity.

In 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Washington state rose by 3k above the previous year to nearly 28k, yet the total number of available emergency shelter beds is less than 10k.

Shortages aside, the majority of existing congregate shelters do not allow pets or partners, and without exception, these facilities pose significant risk to inhabitants through an abundance of health and safety hazards that are part and parcel of any sub-standard living environment. This often means contending with infestations of lice and bed bugs, and prolonged exposure to high-mortality communicable diseases such as Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, and treatment-resistant Staph. There are also high incidence rates of physical and sexual assault at these facilities.

For many, the myriad potential dangers far outweigh any potential benefit that shelters may have to offer.

False

While addiction rates are higher among those experiencing homelessness, roughly 30% misuse drug and alcohol in some capacity and the rate of debilitating addiction occurs in only a small fraction of those cases. There are far more housed people battling addiction than there are unhoused.

Furthermore, drug addiction is both a cause and result of homelessness, as many people turn to substances as a means to cope with the trauma of being on the streets.

False

The most critical factors driving homelessness include lack of affordable housing, lack of employment opportunities and low wages.

Domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness among women.

So many people are just one unforeseen expense away from a financial crisis that results in homelessness. Homelessness does not discriminate, and can happen to anyone.

False

It is a common misbelief that homeless people don’t work, when in truth, 40-60% have jobs, but do not earn enough to afford a place to live. Arguably, Seattle’s Mayor Harrell is actively working against efforts to reduce homelessness in his quiet orchestration of constant encampment sweeps that frequently undo weeks or months of effort by outreach workers attempting to connect people with housing and/or job placement opportunities.

Exiting homelessness is one of the hardest things to do, and often presents multiple barriers that must be overcome before it’s possible to fully exit homelessness. For many, these barriers include things like needing a government-issued ID, a mailing address for receiving mail, or a clean set of clothes for a job interview.

Every individual’s path out of homelessness and the challenges they will face along the way are unique, but no path taken will be easy.