The Big Picture
Learn more about how social and historical forces increase a person’s likelihood to experience homelessness.
Stable housing transforms lives
Recovery starts with housing
Without a home, basic needs like sleeping and eating become overwhelming. Many experiencing homelessness also face disabilities or health conditions, worsened by life on the streets. At Plymouth, we offer homes unconditionally — because everyone deserves a place to heal.
Where We Serve
We’re addressing homelessness in King County
Plymouth serves adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, meaning people who have experienced long-term homelessness who also live with a disability. An estimated 6,428 people are experiencing chronic homelessness in King County on any given night.
- Bellevue
- Kirkland
- Redmond
- Seattle
Unpredictable Circumstances
Homelessness can happen at any time
For the many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, one unexpected expense is all it takes for the world to come crashing down. Low wages combined with rising rents and a widespread lack of affordable housing leaves many teetering on the edge.
Incarceration
Formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general public. Discrimination against people who have been incarcerated limits their access to jobs and housing once they’re on the outside.
Disability
Two-and-a-half times more likely to live in poverty than people without disabilities. Due to income qualifications, those who receive Supplemental Security Income cannot save for emergencies or improve their situation.
Low Income
In the United States, there is little economic mobility from generation to generation. When children of low-income families grow up, they may not have anybody to borrow money from to keep them afloat. This is called network impoverishment, and it especially impacts people of color.
Before she could begin her healing journey after homelessness, August needed housing.
Now that her basic needs are met, today, August is enrolled in college classes to become a care provider. “I remember, when I was homeless, people would come around and say, ‘We want to talk to you about services.’ And honestly, all I could think was, ‘I’m really hungry right now.’”
Why don't people just apply for help from social services?
Accessing social services often requires identification and other important documents. But when all of your belongings are stored in a tent or vehicle, those records can be lost, stolen, damaged, or discarded. Without the paperwork needed to verify who you are, it can become much harder to qualify for housing, benefits, employment, and other support.
Why don't people just focus on getting healthy and back on their feet?
Recovering from an illness or injury is difficult without a safe place to rest. Living outside often means no bed, limited access to running water, inadequate nutrition, and constant exposure to the elements. Even when medical treatment is available, healing takes longer and minor health concerns can quickly become serious. Stable housing provides the foundation people need to recover and regain stability.
Why don't people just find an affordable apartment?
The reality is that there is not enough affordable housing to meet the need. Many people experiencing homelessness are actively searching and applying for housing opportunities, but waitlists can stretch for years. Most residents who move into Plymouth Housing have spent years waiting for an affordable home to become available.
Why don't people just save money for a place to live?
Saving money is much harder when you don't have access to traditional banking services. Many people have experienced financial setbacks that make opening or maintaining a bank account difficult. Without a secure place to keep money, savings can be lost or stolen. Building the financial resources needed for housing becomes much more challenging when simply keeping money safe is a daily concern.
Why don't people just spend less money on food?
Homelessness often makes food more expensive, not less. Without a kitchen, refrigerator, or pantry, it is difficult to buy groceries in bulk, prepare meals at home, or store fresh food. Limited transportation and very small budgets can make lower-cost grocery stores inaccessible. As a result, people often have no choice but to purchase smaller amounts of food at higher prices.
The Bottom Line
Homelessness is more costly than housing
How do Plymouth’s costs compare?
The same funding can buy vastly differing stability, support, and time.
1 month
at a King County hospital
3.5 months
at a King County jail
1 year
at Plymouth Housing
Housing is a
human right
The cost—societal, moral, cultural, and financial—of not housing our neighbors is high. Everyone deserves a place to feel safe and secure. Plymouth provides permanent homes, not shelter or transitional beds. Why? Because we believe that healing begins with a home.
