Homelessness

Homelessness continues to get worse. Should Seattle, and the U.S., still embrace 'Housing First'?

Housing First grew from a fringe practice in cities like Seattle to the U.S.'s guiding philosophy for homelessness response. As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, all that could change.

Education

A troubling trend. Seattle reports another 20% increase in homeless students

More than 2,200 Seattle public school students say they are or have been homeless since the school year began. That's a nearly 20% increase from last year, when the district recorded a more than 30% jump.

Sleeping in a stairwell when Seattle shelters are full

Last week King County officials activated four severe weather shelters in Seattle for homeless people to sleep inside. With those shelters set to close Wednesday, many people are trying to find someplace to get out of the cold.

Seattle offers places to shelter during cold nights ahead

With low temperatures hovering near freezing in the Seattle area for the first half of this week, King County is extending operations of its emergency overnight shelters until Wednesday morning.

Law & Courts

King County Sheriff’s lawsuit over Burien camping ban thrown out by federal judge

This week a federal judge in Seattle dismissed the King County Sheriff’s lawsuit over a homeless camping ban in the city of Burien, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision supporting the rights of cities to enact those restrictions. It’s the latest step in a standoff between the sheriff and leaders of the city southwest of Seattle, over their attempts to restrict homeless encampments.

'Everybody needs a friend.' This Bellingham grandma serves coffee and kindness to people in crisis

More than 16,000 people are experiencing homelessness in King County, up from 2022

Preliminary data released Wednesday from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s Point-in-Time Count found 16,385 people are experiencing homelessness in the county. That’s over 3,000 more than were counted two years ago.