Structural racism puts people of color, particularly Black and Indigenous people, at far greater risk for homelessness than white Americans. In King County, 6% of the general population is Black, but Black people account for 29% of people experiencing homelessness. American Indian/Alaska Native people are less than 1% of King County’s population, yet they make up 5% of people experiencing homelessness.

Disabled people are two and a half times more likely to live in poverty than people without disabilities. Disabled people who receive Supplemental Security Income are not allowed to have more than $2,000 in assets without losing their benefits and health insurance, making it nearly impossible to prepare for emergencies or improve their situation.

Formerly incarcerated people are nearly 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general public, according to data from 2018. Discrimination against people who have been incarcerated limits their access to jobs and housing once they’re on the outside.

In the United States, there is little economic mobility from generation to generation. When children of low-income families grow up, they are often low-income themselves, as are the people in their communities. When emergency expenses come up, low-income people may not have anybody to borrow money from to keep them afloat. This is called network impoverishment, and it especially impacts people of color.

If all your worldly possessions, including personal records, civic documents, your work uniform, and extra clothes, are stored in a tent or in a car, they're vulnerable to theft when you're not there. And what are you to do if the police throw away your tent or impound your car? How will you pull together everything you need to get an apartment?

Around 97% of Plymouth's residents live with a disability. Those on Social Security disability benefits receive around $800 per month. If you had only $800 per month, how would you find a place to live in Seattle? In Washington State, there are only 29 affordable homes available per 100 extremely low-income households.

Even if you have applied for every opportunity, there just isn't enough affordable housing. Most of the people who move into Plymouth apartments have waited for housing for years.

If you get sick or injured, how will you heal while living in a tent, even if you receive treatment? Without running water, a bed, or adequate food, your illness is prolonged and serious complications can arise easily.

If you live in poverty or have bad banking history, banks are often not accessible to you. If you're trying to save money for an apartment, where will you keep it? Carrying around cash isn't safe.

Feeding yourself while homeless is expensive. Without a kitchen, you can't store fresh food or cook at home. And with just $5 in your pocket, visiting a faraway low-cost grocery store and buying in bulk aren't options.

If you manage to save up enough money for a security deposit, first month's rent, and last month's rent, you may not have a recent enough rental history to qualify for an apartment.