Homeless, Housing Count presentation scheduled for July 13th
Story map to provide context to data
Brian Walker, communications manager, 509.625.6765, [email protected]
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:45 am
The community is on Wednesday, July 13 from 3-5 p.m. at the renovated Central Library, 906 W for a presentation entitled “Homelessness and Housing: An Analysis and Discussion of the 2022 Point-in-Time Count in Spokane County” invited. Main road
Speakers include: City Data Scientist Daniel Ramos, Library Community Data Coordinator Shiloh Deitz, and Eastern Washington University researcher Matt Anderson. There will also be a panel discussion and a question and answer period.
The story map presentation includes the background and methodology of the census; a description of who was counted that year; an analysis of the local housing market and vulnerable population; and possible causes of an increase in the unprotected number this year. The goal is to share research, stimulate curiosity, encourage discussion, and help individuals and families find homes.
A total of 1,757 people from 1,513 households were counted this year, compared to 1,559 people from 1,244 households in 2020, when a full count was last conducted due to public health restrictions related to the global pandemic. In 2021, the census was limited to those staying only in emergency shelters and transitional housing projects.
This year’s count, while gradual, marks the fifth consecutive year of an overall increase. Spokane County’s report, released in May, attributed this year’s increase to a change in point-in-time count methodology, the limited ability for deposit and rental assistance program operators to spend their budget due to constraints in the affordability and availability of housing and the rise in housing costs.
As recipients of federal and state funds through the regional Continuum of Care that supports homeless services, all communities are required by the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to do censuses. Using HUD methodology, this year’s surveys were conducted for the protected population on February 24, followed by the non-protected population from February 25 to March 1.
“The point-in-time count is an important tool used to inform the delivery of services and programs to people affected by homelessness in Spokane County,” Ramos said.
The city organized the statewide census in collaboration with other government agencies, homeless providers, community volunteers, educators and others.
“Beyond the raw numbers, it’s critical to provide context and trends through this presentation, which offers a more complete history of our current homelessness and housing situation,” Deitz said.
The count is among several data points that agencies rely on to develop and refine strategies to get people into permanent shelters. Although the survey provides an estimate of how many people are homeless in the county, it also provides partners with information on who is homeless, barriers, and other information that may affect the design of new programs. Names are kept confidential.
For more 2022 PIT Count dates, visit the city’s website. The presentation will be published at
https://m.youtube.com/c/SpokanePublicLibrary1891/videos.
For more information on the presentation, email [email protected].
A CityCable 5 video of this year’s census is posted on the city’s website.
