Point in Time Count shows mixed picture of homelessness in Chelan, Douglas counties

WENATCHEE — The 2025 Point in Time Count for Chelan and Douglas counties showed fewer people living unsheltered but more utilizing emergency shelters and temporary housing services.

The annual count, conducted on January 30, documented 104 unsheltered individuals, a decrease of 37 people from the previous year's count of 141. The sheltered population rose by 64 people, with 405 individuals staying in emergency shelters, RV Safe Parks, transitional housing, or emergency hotel/motel voucher programs.

"Data collected during the Point in Time Count is intended to be a snapshot of homelessness on this one night in our community," said Madison Calloway, coordinator of the Chelan County Homeless Program. "The PIT Count helps to measure and monitor trends and changes in homelessness on local and national levels."

The survey found that 88 of the unsheltered individuals identified as chronically homeless, while 46 reported experiencing homelessness for the first time. Demographics showed most surveyed individuals were white (63 people) and male (61 people), with an average age of 47 years.

Housing and economic factors emerged as leading contributors to homelessness, with 24 people each citing job loss/unemployment and eviction/loss of housing as causes. Health-related issues also affected housing status, with 15 people reporting mental illness and nine each attributing their situation to physical illness and substance use.

The count's expanded reach this year included participation from fifteen agencies and covered previously underserved rural areas. "We had a great turnout of outreach volunteers and agencies participating this year," Calloway said. "This allowed us to target the more rural areas that we had not been able to target in previous years, and contributed to the event's overall success."

Among those surveyed, 66 expressed willingness to stay in shelters if space was available, while 48 declined shelter options. The most common reasons for avoiding shelters included feeling unsafe (9 responses), inability to bring pets (7 responses), and concerns about storage availability or overcrowding (4 responses each).

The survey also revealed that 104 of the individuals were unemployed, with 12 reporting part-time work and one person in full-time employment. For income sources, 20 people reported receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), while 11 each received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or other forms of assistance.

The count was conducted across both counties, with resource events held at Lighthouse Christian Ministries in Wenatchee, Chelan Valley HOPE, and Upper Valley MEND locations. The data will be used to plan services and identify gaps in the region's homelessness assistance system.