2025 survey shows increase in homelessness. Some think the total is way higher.

After several months of delay, Pierce County’s annual survey of those experiencing homelessness counted an 11% increase over the previous year.

While the annual Point-In-Time count is nationally recognized as one of the best ways to quantify the extent of homelessness, outreach workers and other metrics suggest the survey severely undercounts the true scale of the crisis.

The PIT count is a one-night survey of everyone either living in shelters or outdoors in Pierce County. It occurs in January every year and relies on the efforts of volunteers.

According to the county’s 2025 PIT Count report, 2,955 were counted on Jan. 30, up from 2,661 the previous year. The survey counted 1,522 people in shelters and 1,422 people who were unsheltered at the time of the count.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/2025-survey-shows-increase-homelessness-130000656.html