Anyone Could Be Homeless

Starting March 1st, eight short videos about homelessness in our region became available on The Moth’s YouTube site.   Last year, National Public Radio’s StoryCorps team and Seattle University’s Project on Family Homelessnessinvited local residents to talk about their experiences with homelessness. The resulting stories briefly convey (< 10 minutes each) the broad spectrum of circumstances that can leave families without a home.  They remind us that, despite the best-laid plans, anyone could be homeless.

This message is echoed in Communities Count’s new student homelessness update.  In the 2014-15 school year, homelessness among King County public school students has increased again – to an all-time high of 7,260.  In the Tukwila district, 1 in 9 students was homeless last year.  Almost half of homeless students (3,478) were in pre-K or elementary school; more than half “doubled-up” with friends or relatives because their own family was unable to provide stable housing.

For the first time, Communities Count provides downloadable student homelessness data for the past 8 school years. Updates on housing affordability can be found in the Housing section of Communities Count.  For additional information on homelessness in King County, go to AllHome.