Updated every Thursday People experiencing homelessness are at risk for infection through community spread of COVID-19. The data below describes impacts of COVID-19 on individuals who are experiencing homelessness, whether they are able to access a congregate shelter or unsheltered (sleeping outside or in places not meant for human habitation).

For COVID-19 investigation purposes, people experiencing homelessness are defined as those who have lived on the streets or stayed in a shelter, vehicle, abandoned building, encampment, tiny house village/tent city, or supportive housing program (transitional or permanent supportive) at any time during the 12 months prior to COVID-19 testing, without evidence that they were otherwise permanently housed. Public Health, the Department of Community and Human Services, homeless service providers, healthcare providers, and the City of Seattle have partnered for increased testing in this community.

In 2020, surveys conducted among people experiencing homelessness in King County, Washington found that 47 percent suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Around 44 percent of respondents also said they had substance abuse problems at that time. This statistic shows the percentage of homeless persons in King County, Washington who stated they had select health conditions from 2017 to 2020.

Non Recurring: Households/Individuals who exited to permanent housing from any program that returned to homelessness (as indicated by enrollment in qualifying HMIS program)

In 2021, it was estimated that there were 188 deaths among those who were homeless in King County, Washington. From 2012 to 2021, the total number of deaths among those presumed to be homeless was 1,429, with the majority (1,000; 70%) of these deaths occurring in Seattle. This statistic shows the number of deaths among those presumed to be homeless in King County, Washington from 2012 to 2021.

In 2020, surveys conducted among people experiencing homelessness in King County, Washington found that 11 percent were homeless due to their alcohol or drug use. In comparison, in 2017, around 20 percent of respondents said they were homeless due to alcohol and drug use. This statistic shows the percentage of homeless people in King County, Washington who stated they were homeless for select health-related reasons from 2017 to 2020.

Brief: Average length of household enrollment in Basic Shelter, Enhanced Shelter, Villages, Transitional Housing, and RRH (to move in date).

Rare: Unique Count of Households/Clients who exit to PH from a Prevention Program

"Ratio of Homeless Population to General Population in major US Cities in 2011. *This represents a list of large U.S. cities for which DHS was able to confirm a recent estimate of the unsheltered population. A 2011 result is available for Seattle, WA, Miami, FL, and Boston, MA.. 2011 results are not yet available for the other cities, and their 2009 data are displayed in this chart. General population figures are 2010 estimates in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, and 2009 estimates elsewhere."

In 2021, it was estimated that around five percent of deaths recorded in King County, Washington were among those who were homeless. From 2012 to 2021, the total number of deaths among those presumed to be homeless was 1,429, with the majority (1,000; 70%) of these deaths occurring in Seattle. This statistic shows the share of deaths recorded in King County, Washington from 2012 to 2021 that were among those who were homeless.

"Ratio of Homeless Population to General Population in major US Cities in 2012. *This represents a list of large U.S. cities for which DHS was able to confirm a recent estimate of the unsheltered population. Unsheltered estimates are from 2011 except for Seattle and New York City (2012) and Chicago (2009). All General Population figures are from the 2010 U.S. Census enumeration."

In 2021, it was estimated that accidents accounted for 66 percent of deaths among those who were homeless in King County, Washington. From 2012 to 2021, the total number of deaths among those presumed to be homeless was 1,429, with the majority (1,000; 70%) of these deaths occurring in Seattle. This statistic shows the distribution of deaths among those presumed to be homeless in King County, Washington from 2012 to 2021, by cause.

From 2012 to 2021, it was estimated that males accounted for 82 percent of deaths among those who were homeless in King County, Washington. From 2012 to 2021, the total number of deaths among those presumed to be homeless was 1,429, with the majority (1,000; 70%) of these deaths occurring in Seattle. This statistic shows the distribution of deaths among those presumed to be homeless in King County, Washington from 2012 to 2021, by gender.