Thursday, October 1, 2026
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According to the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count final report, Thurston County ranks fifth in the state of Washington for homelessness.
The Thurston County Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention released the report on Monday, Dec. 30. The report documented 1,145 individuals experiencing homelessness.
The comprehensive report provides an understanding of the crisis, highlighting economic challenges within the region.
The April preliminary report initially recorded 864 individuals experiencing homelessness on PIT Count night. This number was later revised upward by 281, reflecting additional data from outreach events and refined methodologies.
“The PIT is a reinforcement of the immediate need for additional housing options and reflects a part of the story of our unhoused neighbors,” the report states.
The 2024 PIT Count recorded:
Most unsheltered individuals resided in tents, on streets or sidewalks, while others lived in vehicles, RVs or micro-shelters.
Vulnerable populations included 20% of respondents under 18 or over 65.
Veterans made up 8% of the unsheltered population, while 13% reported fleeing domestic violence or trafficking.
Health challenges were pervasive, with 75% of unsheltered individuals experiencing chronic health issues, 61% reporting long-term disabilities and 58% facing mental health challenges.
The report emphasized the intersection of health and housing instability, with significant implications for resource allocation.
Thurston County’s total placed it as the fifth-highest in Washington for homelessness, excluding King County, which reported 16,385 individuals.
Among the counties ranked, Pierce County led the state (excluding King) experiencing homelessness, followed by Snohomish County, Spokane County, Clark County and Thurston County.
King County, home to Seattle, is excluded from this ranking due to its significantly higher homelessness numbers than other counties, which skew statewide comparisons.
The county reported 16,385 people experiencing homelessness, far exceeding the totals in any other part of Washington.
Economic instability remains a major factor driving homelessness in Thurston County.
“75% of respondents reported having a rent increase of $100 or more per month,” the report stated, aligning with national trends that link rising rents to homelessness.
Many respondents identified barriers to accessing services, including transportation challenges, long wait-lists and a lack of awareness about available resources.
“Lack of transportation, not qualifying for services, and not knowing where to go for help were identified as the most common barriers,” the report explained.
Youth homelessness emerged as a pressing issue in the PIT Count.
“51% of individuals were 24 years or younger when they first experienced homelessness,” the report stated.
Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and LGBTQIA+ youths were disproportionately represented, often facing systemic inequities and social barriers that exacerbate housing instability.
The report highlighted hesitancy among young people to disclose their sexual or gender identity stating, “Young people may be hesitant to disclose their status.”
Survey participants overwhelmingly identified rental assistance and affordable housing as urgent needs.
“Rental assistance/more affordable housing was the most common identified support needed to obtain and remain in permanent housing,” the report stated.
Other needs included case management, transportation and clearing credit to improve housing eligibility.
The PIT Count also underscored racial inequities in accessing resources.
While 72% of unsheltered individuals identified as white, Black, Indigenous, and people of color populations, particularly Indigenous and Pacific Islander individuals, were disproportionately represented.
“The gap is widest for American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander” individuals, the report stated.
Programs, such as the Built for Zero initiative and the Anchor Community Initiative, have targeted specific populations, including chronically homeless individuals and youths.
However, the report emphasized the need for improved data collection to enhance the effectiveness of these efforts.
The PIT Count serves as both a reminder of the challenges ahead and a call to action.
“Although there have been changes and adjustments made to how the count is conducted, having a set of annual data for 19 years is a significant accomplishment,” the report noted.
The report urges immediate systemic change for the 1,145 individuals counted and the many more people who remain unaccounted.
“People are homeless due to being evicted, losing their job, or their income from working is not enough to sustain housing,” the report stated.
The Thurston County Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention hopes that the 2024 report guides efforts to expand housing options, improve access to services and address systemic barriers.
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TomBoucher
After going to the report (https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/thurstoncountywa.gov.if-us-west-2/s3fs-public/2024-12/FINAL_2024%20PIT%20Report.pdf) I'm curious how many of these folks lack a phone. It's listed as a barrier. A phone is only $15--you read that right--tho minutes are more. The person I gave one to had none and it opened up access to loved ones in other states and access to services.
Monday, December 30, 2024 Report this
RegularGuy
Thanks for the interesting article. The total count of 1145 homeless in Thurston County seems to match the 2021 Thurston County Homeless number in the "Thurston County Pit Counts" bar chart near the top of the article. The chart shows 2024 as having 952 homeless. Either the chart is wrong, or the numbers in the article are wrong.
Monday, December 30, 2024 Report this
KatAshe
Some years ago, I wrote to the governor’s office suggesting they request that those seeking appointments bring/donate, their old cell phones, then distribute to various shelters. I had a phone call from the governor’s office several weeks later saying we’re going to use my suggestion.
Phone carriers will activate these phones for very basic use at no ongoing cost to the user. As long as your old phone is at least a G4 and you will not be trading it in for a new phone, please consider contacting groups serving the homeless to see if they can use for one of their clients.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Report this
JW
Not one mention of rampant mental illness and prolific drug addiction in this entire article. What a joke. The JOLT continues to carry water for the "housing first" propagandists.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Report this
OlyGuy
JW - exactly.. I was wondering why there was no mention of Drug and Mental Health problems. You put a mentally ill drug addict in a house, they are still gonna find a way to be homeless.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Report this
Johnwils
To the readers who missed some stats in the article regarding mental health challenges, look for this quote. “Health challenges were pervasive, with 75% of unsheltered individuals experiencing chronic health issues, 61% reporting long-term disabilities and 58% facing mental health challenges.”
I agree that the drug issue isn’t specifically mentioned. Perhaps a question related specifically to that might be used? Would a member of the general population answer the same question?
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Report this
BillString
I believe I know of a cheap and effective way to end the crisis. Purchase 1,145 one-way bus tickets to places that are cheaper to live, Like the Dakotas or Wyoming. It cleans up the streets, eases the burden on the taxpayer, and is expedient to boot.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Report this
Suziel
I know that from 2018 to 2024 Love Abounds Here (LAH) in Yelm counted those in the southeast corner of Thurston County and reported those numbers. Now that LAH has phased out their participation as a non profit in this area, I wonder how homeless folks here will be counted? Perhaps the City of Yelm will take on this responsibility in 2025? The count should take place at the end of January.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
Idiot politicians need common sense. What do THEY need to do to end homelessness? Will require reeducation.
Thursday, January 2, 2025 Report this