kcrha 2026 pit count and friends of youth

The Need Is Growing—And So Must Our Response

Each year, Friends of Youth serves hundreds of youth and young adults, helping them build stability and obtain housing. However, as income inequality and housing costs continue to rise and federal investments shrink, we continue to see new young people showing up at our doors. 

Why This Matters

While experiences of homelessness continue to grow, shelter capacity has not kept pace—in fact, it has decreased countywide. The result is more individuals forced to sleep outside, in cars, or in unsafe conditions—without consistent access to care, stability, or opportunity.

For young adults, this gap can be particularly devastating. Without timely support, what begins as a temporary crisis can rapidly escalate into long-term homelessness. Data shows that 48% of adults in King County first experienced homelessness before the age of 25. Hence, if we effectively address young adult homelessness, we can prevent years of trauma and cut the rate of chronic adult homelessness in half. This is why your contribution is so critical in supporting Friends of Youth.

A Critical Resource on the Eastside

Friends of Youth is proud and humbled to operate the only young adult shelter on the Eastside. This means we are often the first, and sometimes the only, safe place for young people with nowhere else to go.

Every night, we provide:

• A safe place to sleep

• Meals and basic needs

• Access to case management and supportive services

• Pathways to education, employment, and permanent housing

But as the need grows, so does the demand for these services.

Your Support Makes the Difference

Behind every number is a person—a young adult with potential, resilience, and a future worth investing in.

With unsheltered homelessness rising dramatically, the need for community support has never been more urgent.

You can help by:

• Making a financial contribution

• Volunteering your time

• Sharing this message with your network

• Advocating for expanded resources and housing solutions

Together, we can ensure that no young person on the Eastside faces homelessness alone.

Join us in being part of the solution and make your gift today.