Thurston County’s 2026 point-in-time events began Friday, Jan. 30 with a Homeless Connect event in Olympia.
Homeless Connect is a multiagency, community-based event designed to bring critical resources together in one place, including health and wellness services, employment assistance, veterans’ support and housing resources.
The Thurston County event at Sergio’s Place in Olympia included haircuts, a clothing bank, hygiene kits, food, direct service connections, survival goods, census surveys and more.
It was held in conjunction with the point-in-time count, a nationwide annual effort to survey individuals experiencing homelessness.
While the count represents a single night, the process of gathering the information takes place over the course of a week, conducting surveys, doing outreach, and holding events to drive engagement, according to the Thurston County Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention.
This year’s count runs from Jan. 29 through Feb. 5.
Census surveys were also set to be handed out with dinner at the Salvation Army in Olympia from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday evening.
On Monday, Feb. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Olympia Food Pantry 220 Thurston Ave NE, there will be census surveys done with survival goods shared.
On Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6 to 8:30 a.m. at Union Gospel Mission 413 Franklin St. Olympia, there will be food and survival goods shared while completing census surveys.
And the same activities will be offered at the Franklin Street Harm Reduction at 704 Franklin St. from 8 to 11 a.m.
The event for youth and young adults is on Thursday, Feb. 5 at Rosie's Place 520 Pear St SE Olympia from 12 to 3 p.m. There will be food, haircuts, karaoke, and survival goods shared while completing census surveys.
Anyone experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity — including those living in a shelter, unstable or non-guaranteed housing, a place not meant for human habitation, a domestic abuse situation or an unsafe or hazardous environment — is encouraged to fill out a census survey.
The point-in-time count started in 2006 and is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information, contact the Thurston County Contact Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention division at 360-867-2500.
