On Thursday and Friday morning, volunteers and human-services workers patrolled around Pierce County, under bridges, in shelters, along sidewalks and at 12 designated sites as part of the annual Homeless Point-in-Time Count. Their goal was to capture a snapshot of how many people are living unhoused right now.
In 2025, 2,955 people were tallied as experiencing homelessness in Pierce County — an 11% increase from 2024. About half of them were not living in shelters, and most were in the Tacoma area, according to the county. Pierce County data shows a strong correlation between homelessness and rising rent and home prices, and more people are entering the homeless crisis-response system than can be housed.
Crews were out interviewing people experiencing homelessness and passing out backpacks with supplies from 9 a.m. Thursday until 3 a.m. Friday morning. The News Tribune followed a team in the rain Thursday afternoon as members talked with people in tents and standing on sidewalks near the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma…