“I am committed to working to end homelessness in King County… the scope of homelessness and its causes are large and complex, and that any effort to truly solve homelessness must address the need to ensure access to necessary treatment and support services. We also agree that we do not have adequate affordable and accessible housing in King County. That is where I intend to focus my efforts over the next several years, working with our many partners in state and local government, housing developers, and the faith community to create more housing for low-median income citizens. King County must not become a place where only the wealthy can afford to live. This will take a great deal of effort and energy, but I am committed to working to lead that effort.”

Ron Sims, King County Executive, October 29, 2004

On any given night in King County, 7,869 people are homeless according to the 2007 One Night Count of the homeless results published in Spring 2007

Picture at right: Leo Rhodes, Tent City 4, on the right, helps a homeless man during the One Night Count, 2004

Picture below: Ron Sims and S.H.A.R.E. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bothell, at public hearing on Tent City 4