Polk County counts 308 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; most unsheltered people in vehicles or RVs, officials say

Polk County Family and Community Outreach staff told the Polk County Board of Commissioners on May 27 that a coordinated January Point‑in‑Time (PIT) count found 308 unduplicated individuals who were homeless or at imminent risk, and that the county’s homeless response system housed 369 people since June 2023.

"This year...we had 308 total individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and this is an unduplicated number," said Stephanie Gilbert, Polk County Family and Community Outreach program manager. "The majority is unsheltered."

Gilbert and Ryan Pollard, the county’s homeless prevention and outreach coordinator, said the PIT count on Jan. 22 used a broader, more strategic approach than prior counts: more than 15 local agencies reviewed caseloads and about 30 volunteers conducted outreach at known encampments, RV parking sites and other locations. The approach intentionally captured hidden homelessness — people sleeping in vehicles, RVs, sheds or couch‑surfing — which local officials said earlier PIT counts undercounted.

Key findings presented to commissioners: - Total unduplicated individuals counted (Jan. 22): 308 (86 adults 25+, 37 youth 18–24, 85 children under 18). - Unsheltered settings: a majority were sleeping in vehicles or RVs; 17% were in parks/encampments and 19% on streets/sidewalks. - Sheltered: 81 people were in emergency shelters, transitional housing or the Polk County Warming Center that night; Grand Ronde and other local shelters were included. - At‑risk population: 92 people were identified as at risk of homelessness (e.g., eviction or couch‑surfing within 14 days); 75% of at‑risk respondents were couch‑surfing.

Gilbert said the county’s increased coordination produced larger, more realistic counts than in prior years and allowed the outreach system to identify those who can be prioritized for prevention resources. Since June 2023, county staff reported 369 people housed through rapid rehousing, vouchers or deposit assistance; the majority were families and the program emphasizes landlord engagement to return deposit funds for reuse.

Commissioners praised the county’s landlord engagement strategy and asked about costs. Pollard said average initial move‑in costs (deposit plus first month’s rent) often run $5,000–$6,000 and that one recent case required about $11,000 to place a family. Gilbert said median rent in Polk County is approximately $1,500 per month and many landlords require two to three times that amount in qualifying income or deposits.

Ending: The PIT data will be posted on the county’s dashboard (pc‑pads.com) and officials urged continued landlord outreach and interagency coordination to prioritize families and people identified as at risk during follow‑up outreach.