The King County Regional Homelessness Authority estimates there are 11,048 boys and men in King County experiencing homelessness, based on findings from their latest point-in-time count. That is a 27% increase compared to the 8,696 boys and men who were estimated to be experiencing homelessness in 2022.
An estimated 5,140 women and girls in King County are homeless, representing a 21% increase compared to 2022. There are also an estimated 197 people experiencing homelessness who identify as non-binary, transgender, or questioning their gender.
Two observations
In addition to the 27% increase over a two-year period, two other things stood out to us when reviewing KCRHA’s initial release of their 2024 point-in-time count results.
1. Looking through the gender lens
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority states, “The 2024 point-in-time count found that on any given night in King County, there are an estimated 16,385 individuals experiencing homelessness.” Of those 16,385 individuals, 60% are living unsheltered, while 40% are in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens.
They go on to provide numerical breakdowns of people experiencing homelessness through the following lenses:
- Racial Inequity
- Family & Youth Homelessness
- Gender Identities
- Additional Vulnerabilities & Communities:
- Adult Survivors of Domestic Violence
- Adults with a Serious Mental Illness
- Adults with a Substance Use Disorder
- Chronically Homeless
- Veterans
For each of these lenses, KCRHA provides written commentary and then presents numbers. Below is a screenshot from their website showing what they wrote under their section on gender:
2. Gender element missing from summary document
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority produced a two-page document summarizing their initial release of findings from their 2024 point-in-time count. It is noteworthy that the summary document includes all of the numerical breakdowns listed above other than the gender breakdown, which shows men and boys comprise over two-thirds of people experiencing homelessness in King County.
Might we be missing something important if we choose not to elevate the gender element?
Closing thoughts
Washington Initiative for Boys and Men is coordinating the grassroots campaign supporting legislation that would create a Washington state commission on boys and men. Homelessness is a problem that has links to all five of the focus areas of the proposed commission on boys and men:
- Mental and physical health
- Education
- Jobs, careers, and financial health
- Fatherhood, family, and relationships
- Experiences of males in court systems
Whether emphasizing the high costs of housing as a primary driver of homelessness, or untreated mental illnesses and addictions, we must be willing to notice the male common denominator in these problems. We should ask ourselves how considering data on gender in our decision-making will help us improve outcomes and address the growing homelessness crisis in our state.