In 2015, Seattle and King County declared a Homelessness State of Emergency. Since then, the number of unsheltered homeless people in King County has risen by nearly 50 percent. Early this year, the Count Us In tally of unsheltered people found 5,500 people sleeping in tents, in vehicles and on the streets. Last year, at least 62 people died outside due to illness or violence. This year, the number is already 64.