Report: Chronic homelessness reaches crisis levels in King County
Homeless tent in Seattle. (J. Warne)
Chronic homelessness rose 42% annually in King County and 27% statewide, according to a new report from Challenge Seattle.
“Our state is at a crossroad,” said Challenge Seattle CEO and former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. “A global pandemic has deepened economic inequities and exposed the gaps in our health care systems, making the exit out of chronic homelessness even more challenging. This is a pivotal moment for the region. We cannot recover from COVID-19 without addressing the economic, healthcare, and inequity crisis that is chronic homelessness.”
The report states that King County has the second-highest rate of chronic homelessness growth in the United States. Homelessness also ranks as the top issue for county residents, with 42% saying it’s a leading priority and 91% saying that lawmakers need to redesign mental health and substance abuse treatment sy
A new report confirms what you see with your own eyes: despite a lot of effort and funding, the homelessness crisis is getting worse, particularly for people experiencing chronic homelessness.