According to the Kitsap County Continuum of Care Coalition, in 2009 there were 822 homeless persons in the County and 115 individuals who indicated they were homeless prior to jail, or expect to be homeless after their release. In 2008, there were 132 homeless children and youth under the age of 17 counted in Kitsap County, or 18 percent. This number was nearly double in 2009, with 262 homeless children and youth reporting.

This age group now represents 32 percent of all homeless individuals in our community. While 346 people indicated they are currently in shelter, 290 are living with family or friends and 173 are on the streets, in tents, or living in cars. Overall this means that 77% are in temporary or unstable situations and 21% are living in conditions not meant for human habitation.

It is estimated by some organizations that there will be over 1,400 homeless men, women and children in Kitsap County for 2010 and in a recent article published in the North Kitsap Herald, there are up to 100 homeless children enrolled in the North Kitsap School District.

Some are safe for the night in emergency shelters. Some are working their way toward self-sufficiency in transitional housing. Some sleep on the streets or in abandoned buildings, hungry, dirty, and in harm's way.

Whether or not they have roofs over their heads, these individuals call Kingston and Kitsap County their home just like the rest of us and they need our help.