Homelessness can be brutal, debilitating, traumatic. Without stable and on-going support, the physical, mental, and emotional stressors are overwhelming.
Homelessness is a systemic failure
People experience homelessness because of economic conditions such as high cost of living, limited number of affordable/low-income housing units, low-wage jobs, lack of access to health care and mental health treatment, and more.
People do not choose to be homelessness
Homelessness is dangerous, stressful, and humiliating. Rising rents, loss of job, domestic violence, are some of the many reasons that can cause people to lose their home.
Addiction is a serious issue for the housed and unhoused
Addiction can be a result of homelessness and a cause of homelessness. Drug use and addiction are conditions in need of treatment, and there is a serious lack of treatment beds in King County.
Providing services is not a cause of rising homelessness
According to 2019 data, 84% of those experiencing homelessness claimed Seattle as their last place of residence. Only 5% moved to King County from out of State. 46% were born in King County or had lived in King County for ten years or more.