Washington’s homelessness rate rose by 8.7% between 2023-25, according to the annual Point in Time count and the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Snapshot of Homelessness report.
Excluding unsheltered-homelessness data in King County due to the latter conducting its full PIT count during even years, the report found that 22,173 people were experiencing homelessness in Washington during the Jan. 30 PIT count. (Historically, King County accounts for roughly 50% of the state’s of total unsheltered results.)
The report found that in Washington, 33% were experiencing unsheltered homelessness and 67% were experiencing sheltered homelessness in locations like emergency shelters and transitional housing, according to Commerce.
This marks a 4.4% increase since 2024, and a 25% increase overall since 2022.
The findings come as the Legislature ramps up efforts to mitigate homelessness, investing about $1.8 billion during the 2025-27 biennium into housing and homelessness initiatives. This includes Commerce programs such as the Housing Trust Fund; Connecting Housing to Infrastructure; and programs targeting adult, family, and youth homelessness.
“Too many people in our communities don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night, or if they’ll be safe when they try to rest,” said Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn in a press release. “Thanks to support from the Legislature and Gov. Ferguson, Commerce is investing in programs that help people stay housed, and provide a path back to stability for those who need it.”
