Homelessness continues to rise at an alarming rate in King County - over 70% since 1998:


Homelessness across our Nation

In many parts of the country families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. The 2003 U.S. Conference of Mayors 25-city survey reports that families comprised 40% of the urban homeless, and 5% were unaccompanied youth. (Children’s Defense Fund)

Between 700,000 and 800,000 people are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year between 2.5 and 3.5 million people will experience homelessness in this country. (Housing and Homelessness, National Alliance to end Homelessness)

The frequency of violence in the lives of homeless mothers is staggering. 63% have been violently abused by a male partner while 25% have been physically or sexually assaulted during adulthood by someone other than an intimate partner (The Better Homes Fund. Homeless Children: America’s New Outcasts).

Domestic violence and lost job-related income are two of the leading causes of homelessness for women with children.

Regarding domestic violence, the leading cause of death for pregnant women is homicide (National Organization for Women, 2005).

Homelessness in Seattle, King County and Snohomish County.

Last year, in King County alone, men, women and children, were turned away from shelters over 120,000 times because there just weren't enough beds available. (State of Washington's Emergency Shelter Report)

In Snohomish County in 2004, homeless shelter provided reported 17,045 individuals were turned away from shelter due to lack of space. 62% were families with children. (State of Washington's Emergency Shelter Report)

On any given night, there are over 8,000 people sleeping on the streets and in shelters in the greater Seattle area. Nearly half of these are families with children.

"The City of Seattle Human Services Department reports that insufficient shelter space and limited resources for transitional housing continue to be challenges to assisting vulnerable people. Shelters are generally operating at capacity and report having to turn people away. There is a lack of sufficient shelter, especially for families with children, women, youth and people with special needs. There is also not enough transitional housing, especially for large families, single women, youth and teens." (Homeless Strategies Response - Council member Peter Steinbrueck).

Domestic violence and lost job-related income are of the leading causes of homelessness for women with children. Several studies indicate that 50% of homeless women are homeless due to domestic violence. When a woman leaves a domestic relationship, she and her children are often in grave danger, have no place to go, and have very few resources - regardless of their previous economic status. In 1999, domestic violence programs in King County served 2,247 victims. They turned away hundreds more due to lack of space. It is estimated that 1,400 single women are homeless in the Seattle area. (United Way - Out of the Rain).