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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – known as Emerald City – was incorporated in 1869 and is the largest city in Washington and the
Northwestern U.S. Seattle is often referred to as Rain City and is well known for its iconic Space Needle, performing arts and music
scene, and advanced technology. Seattle has become a hub for its “green” industry, a stream of new software, biotechnology, internet
companies, and headquarters of companies like Microsoft and Starbucks. Seattle is home of the National Football League’s Seattle
Seahawks, the National Baseball League’s Seattle Mariners, and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC. Many outsiders are hesitant
about visiting the city for fear of constant rainfall. However, Seattle doesn’t get that much rain and actually ranks 44th behind several
metropolitan areas across the U.S. in its annual rainfall. •
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QUICK FACTS ABOUT SEATTLE, WA
The Space Needle is an iconic feature of Seattle’s
skyline and a major landmark of the Pacific Northwest
region.
Population of King County in 2010: 1,931,249 (Source:
2010 Census)
Median Household Income of King County in 2010:
$68,065 (Source: U.S. Census 2006-2010 American
Community Survey 5-Year Estimates)
King County is the largest in the state of WA –
renamed in 1986 after civil rights leader Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Seattle as #8 on
their list of Best Affordable U.S. Destinations for its
thriving arts scene, history, culture, and exciting outdoor
activities (“when the weather is dry”).
Seattle is home to a vibrant mix of attractions including
live music and performances. Seattle is among top five in
the U.S. in per capita attendance for events.
HEALTH & HOMELESSNESS IN SEATTLE
(Source: U.S Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Survey, 2011)
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Metro Unemployment Rate: 8.3%
Population Living Below the Poverty Line: 12.2%
Estimated Number of Homeless in 2011: 8,937 (Source: King
County, One Night Count 2011)
Among homeless adults, 58% were severely mentally ill,
24% physically disabled, 15% veterans, 14% victims of
domestic violence, and 10% were unemployed.
From 2010-2011, number of homeless individuals increased
by 15%.
In 2011, 18% of the demand for shelter went unmet.
Among persons requesting food assistance, 41% were in
families and 27% were elderly.
In 2010, 47% of households were housing cost burdened.
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010)
In 2009, 12% of King County’s population was uninsured.
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Health Insurance
Estimates between 2000-2009)
Initiatives and Services for those Experiencing Homelessness
The Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH) formed in 1979 when local shelter providers, city staff, advocates,
and others who witnessed homelessness came together in an effort to increase attention, resources, and care provided in the wake
I of a growing crisis. SKCCH membership consists of agencies and community groups that provide emergency shelter and services,
transitional housing, and permanent supported housing to an estimated 27,000 men, women and children who are homeless in King
County. As one of the oldest homeless coalitions in the U.S., the SKCCH works collaboratively to ensure the safety and survival of
people who are homeless to end the crisis of homelessness in the region.
A small selection of the many organizations in Seattle serving those experiencing homelessness are highlighted below:
Health Care for the Homeless Network (HCHN), collaborates with 12 community-based partner agencies to provide
primary health care and housing services for homeless adults, families, and youth. These services include vital resources for mental
health and chemical dependency treatment.
Harmony House, sponsored by Friends of Youth, provides transitional housing along with supportive services to homeless
pregnant or parenting young women and their babies. The program lasts for up to 2 years. Case management services are provided
to all residents and include goal planning, advocacy, referral services, and case monitoring.
The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County, introduced in March 2005, set ambitious goals, including
increasing housing for people who are homeless by 9,500
units. Every
year since the Plan’s implementation, nearly 3,500
Regional
Comparison
households have been provided permanent housing. Between
2005
and
2011, over $105 million has been secured in new public,
Regional Information
private, state, and local finding to provide housing and supportive services to individuals and families throughout King County.
Change in Size of Homeless Population by State, 2009-2011
Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are located in HRSA
Region X. Washington has the largest population
among the three; with Idaho having the smallest. The
region overall has relatively low populations when
compared with other regions of the country. The map
to the left shows the change in the overall number of
homeless people from 2009 to 2011 for each of the 50
states, plus the District of Columbia as provided by
HUD’s Point-in-Time Count report. According to
HUD, the nation’s overall homeless population
decreased 1% (7,050 people), from 643,067 in 2009
to 636,017 in 2011. However, the data show a 13%
increase in persons experiencing homelessness for
Idaho. Washington experienced a 10% decrease and
Oregon had no change.
Family homelessness also increased in the region.
From 2009 to 2011, the number of families who
became homeless increased by 14% in Oregon and by
8% in Idaho.
(Source: The State of Homelessness in America, January
2012)
Comparison of Health Center Clients in Region X Uniform Data System Information (2010)1
State
Washington
Oregon
Idaho
United States
6,724,540
3,831,074
1,567,582
308,745,538
United States
Homeless Only
805,064
*Total Homeless reported
71,960
22,885
6,780
1,051,750
770,602
Homeless reported by nonHCH grantees
*Percent 200% Poverty
(Known)
*Percent Uninsured
34,944
2,026
475
254,810
0
93.4%
94.2%
94.9%
92.8%
98.2%
35.4%
42.2%
52.8%
37.5%
64.9%
*Percent Medicaid
Coverage
*Number of Veterans
43.8%
38.5%
19.8%
37.5%
25.3%
9,506
4,394
2,294
226,019
23,119
HCH Clients in Homeless
Shelters
6,662
(9.3%)
2,253
(9.8%)
1,209
(17.8%)
289,781
(27.6%)
284,488
(36.9%)
HCH Clients in Transitional
Shelters
3,353
(4.7%)
2,567
(11.2%)
903
(13.3%)
110,190
(10.5%)
107,927
(14.0%)
HCH Clients Doubling Up
11,412
(15.9%)
7,110
(31.1%)
2,223
(32.8%)
179,365
(17.1%)
176,018
(22.8%)
HCH Clients Living on
Street
2,353
(3.3%)
3,582
(15.7%)
722
(10.6%)
75,899
(7.2%)
75,310
(9.8%)
Total Population
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The Uniform Data System (UDS) tracks a variety of information, including patient demographics, services provided, staffing, clinical indicators, utilization rates, costs, and revenues. UDS
data are collected annually from Health Center Program grantees.
*Includes all clients served at Health Center Program grantees.