Why Do We Count? - jhitchen
February 26, 2026
Good morning neighbors,
I hope this e-newsletter finds you well. I know many friends and colleagues are dealing with illnesses and allergies. Despite the difficulties seasonal transitions can bring, I'm excited about the flowers and more daylight. The daylight is especially front of mind because four weeks ago I spent more than six hours walking and talking with our unhoused neighbors in Tacoma and Parkland; it was very dark. I was participating in an annual event called the Point in Time count.
I am often asked, “How many people are homeless in Pierce County?” The reality is it can be really hard to figure that out. Part of that is a result of fear. People will work hard to hide the fact they don’t have a place to call home out of shame or exclusion. Some are hiding as survivors of violence. Some have mental health challenges that create barriers—and they do not trust anyone and would rather go it alone. There are others who are evading criminal justice systems.
Local governments that receive funding for services from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are required to count the number of unhoused and unsheltered individuals every two years. For the sake of our own data, and the work we are doing to align services with needs, we do it every year.
We do this so we can identify barriers to services for needs that are new or on the rise, and to get numbers and basic demographics. This is done through the work of volunteers who gather data over a 24-hour period, including throughout the night, to try and speak with people who are living unsheltered.
Talking to the Unhoused
I was part of a team for this year’s count that focused on the businesses and vacant land on State Route 7 (Pacific Avenue) between State Route 512 and Military Loop Road. I am often asked “What kinds of things do you hear?” I spoke with about a dozen individuals and saw or witnessed dozens of interactions. These people-focused data points help the county collect information around how long they have been experiencing homelessness, if they have any sources of income, currently or have had a disability or behavioral health challenge, and some other basic demographic information.
The data all goes into a spread sheet and mapping tool, which is essential work for understanding the scope and need; equally important are the stories that help guide the work and partnerships we have across the county. I hear stories of families broken apart, dealing with trauma and challenges that are insurmountable for them. What I heard reaffirmed that we have a system that is broken, and this process always puts the human side into the work I do as an elected.
The last person I spoke with on that cold night in January was an 80-year-old man living in his car. When our team approached, the engine was running, the windows were steamed up, but he opened it just a crack to see what we were doing. I approached and asked if he was willing to chat. He said yes, and looking inside his car, I saw some supplies arranged neatly. He had several blankets tucked around his aging body. His story was heartbreaking.
He experienced a medical emergency that required open heart surgery six or seven years ago, and the medical debt from that led to him losing his house. He lived in some shelters, but he couldn’t find a place that worked or would accept him, and so he lives in his car. An 80-year-old man, living alone, in his car, in a church parking lot... I hope you have the same feelings that I have: “This is wrong!”
What do we do with the Data?
The staff who work in this space will be organizing the data we collected and sharing it with our federal partners and the county. It takes a while to make sure that we don’t have duplicates since we have so many people out counting. The team works very hard with many partners and volunteers to understand what our numbers are showing us.
We do not have our 2026 data yet, but you can look at 2024 and 2025 below. Point-in-Time Count Results | Pierce County, WA - Official Website
One of the key takeaways from this data is hearing from those that are outside of our shelter system to understand why they are not indoors. The date of this event is intentional, as the end of January is often one of the coldest times of year, and at the end of the month those that had resources often have run out.
We review the data by age, race, where someone entered homelessness (geography), if there are children, and many other factors. You can see the 2025 report here. When we review the data, it provides clear ideas of where to invest in programing, identifies if programs are working, and helps us understand what is not working. It is crucial to understand through the eyes of those trying to use the system, and the Point in Time Count is one of the key ways we do this.
This year I spoke with people that had chronic health conditions, were fleeing domestic violence, had behavioral health challenges and didn’t trust shelters. Each person I spoke with is a human being. They have or had a family. They are someone’s child, parent, grandparent or friend. They are a person. They might have lost their way, but they deserve to be treated with compassion and understanding. Hearing their stories, treating them with respect, and simple acts of kindness are the least we can do.
Community Connections
Community Resource Fair: Thursday, February 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Parkland/Spanaway Library. Many local organizations that provide housing, health and community services will be on location to share resources and information.
Steilacoom Historical Community Garden – Community Work Parter: Saturday, February 28, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the garden. Tools are provided, but bring your work gloves.
Knotty Knitters: Wednesdays in March at 1 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall. Bring your yarn and tools of choice to knit or crochet with friends.
BINGO Night in Parkland: Friday, March 6, at 6 p.m. at the Parkland School 214: 121st St S in Parkland. This event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Parkland and Spanaway and the Parkland Community Association. Tickets can be purchases online or at the door.
3rd Annual Puzzle Competition: Saturday, March 21, at 6 p.m. at the Steilacoom Community Center. There is a cost but there are also prizes. You or your team must register to participate, but community can show up and watch.
District 6 Library Events in January: Pierce County Library events and classes at the Anderson Island, DuPont, Lakewood, Parkland/Spanaway, Steilacoom, Tillicum, and Virtual libraries.
It is often the stories I hear in community that inspire my questions to county departments and staff and lead me reach out to organizations and other elected leaders across the region. During the Point in Time Count, the focus of the stories is those living unhoused. When I am at events with youth, I hear their stories and questions. When standing in line at the grocery store, I hear other stories.
It is these experiences and the ideas of the people I interact with that inspire me. But one night a year, during the Point in Time Count, I focus on the stories of those without homes. They are just surviving, finding shelter under a tarp in a doorway, in a tent between some trees, or a car in a deserted parking lot.
It is the stories that inspire the work I do on your behalf every day.
Thank you for sharing your story with me, and if you want to send one my way, I am always willing to listen.
- Jani