Sixty percent of guests at Mary’s Place in Seattle are children under 18, highlighting a severe homelessness crisis in the region, according to Dominique Alex, CEO of Mary’s Place. The situation is dire, with 13,876 homeless children under 3 in Washington, a figure that likely undercounts the true number. Many families are “hiding in plain sight,” and daily calls for help exceed 50, yet the shelter system can only accommodate one or two families weekly.

Alex emphasizes that childhood homelessness leads to lasting trauma, impacting education, health, and economic stability. The current funding from Gov. Bob Ferguson maintains existing services but fails to meet the urgent need for more emergency shelters and transitional housing. Prevention services, such as rental assistance and eviction prevention, are crucial but underfunded, leading families into crisis.

To address this, Alex calls for a comprehensive approach that includes fully funding emergency shelters, investing in prevention, and ensuring affordable housing. Immediate action is necessary to prevent future generations from experiencing homelessness and its devastating effects.