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Results from the Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count reflect a decline in unsheltered individuals year-over-year and an increase in shelter capacity.
The PIT count, designed to provide a snapshot of households experiencing homelessness on a single night, was conducted on Jan. 26, 2026. This survey was supported by the efforts of 275 volunteers and partner agency staff. The PIT count includes people residing in emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as people living without shelter.
In contrast to national trends over the past few years, in 2026, the number of people who were unsheltered in Snohomish County decreased by 5.8% from 536 in 2025 to 505 individuals in 2026.
The count of individuals who are sheltered each year is primarily an indication of shelter capacity. The expansion of temporary and permanent shelter beds in 2026 plus the recent opening of The Tulalip Tribes pallet shelter may have contributed to a slightly higher number of people who were sheltered, 658, when compared to the number in 2025, 604, reflecting this increase in capacity. Taken together, the number of individuals counted increased slightly. However, in addition to a decrease in the number of unsheltered individuals, the proportion of unsheltered individuals has continued to decline in recent years, from representing 53.8% of the total count in 2023 to 43.4% in 2026.
Most of the unsheltered households had only adult household members (434 households), while 10 households included adults as well as children under the age of 18. The number of unsheltered child-only households increased to 1 in 2026 from 0 in 2025. The number of sheltered child-only households also increased by 1 to 18, up from 17 in 2025.
The 2026 count saw an increase in the total percentage of people who are American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous, multi-racial, and white, while the percentage of persons who are Asian or Asian American, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latina/o/e, and Middle Eastern or North African decreased in 2026.
“The Point in Time Count is important to help us better understand homelessness in our county and the impact of local programs working to reduce homelessness. While there is still a lot of work to do, it is encouraging that more people were connected to shelter, services, and support this year,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said. “Our county has a strong Partnership to End Homelessness that provides critical guidance and strong partnerships with organizations that work to connect people with shelter or housing. I will continue to fight to preserve our homeless housing system while working alongside our community partners to plan for the future and face challenges including the risk to federal funding for this crucial work.”
More information: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/2857/Point-In-Time
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