Love Overwhelming

The Reality of Wound Care for the Homeless in Washington State Access to healthcare should be a basic human right, yet for many experiencing homelessness in Washington State, proper wound care is nearly impossible to obtain. In places like Longview, Washington, where homeless services are critical, individuals are left with few options, often leading to preventable complications, infections, and even amputations. At Love Overwhelming, a nonprofit dedicated to harm reduction and peer support, we see these struggles firsthand and work tirelessly to bridge the gap in healthcare access. The Struggles of Wound Care for the Unhoused   Many people experiencing homelessness do not have access to proper medical care, leaving them to manage serious wounds on their own. In Cowlitz County and surrounding areas like Lewis County, Grays Harbor County, Pacific County, and Clark County, wound care clinics that accept Medicaid are nearly nonexistent. This means those who cannot afford private healt...

  The Truth About Cowlitz County’s Homeless Numbers—And What They Don’t Tell You Each January, Cowlitz County conducts the Point in Time (PIT) count , a one-night snapshot of homelessness in our community. This year, the count recorded 337 homeless individuals , slightly higher than 2023’s 318 . At first glance, the data suggests more people are sheltered, and fewer families with children are experiencing homelessness. But these numbers don’t tell the full story. What’s missing from the data, and how do we move from counting people to actually solving homelessness? What the PIT Count Shows The 2024 PIT count recorded: 203 people in shelters, compared to 181 in 2023 134 people unsheltered, compared to 137 in 2023 84 people in transitional housing, compared to 78 in 2023 27 homeless families with children, down from 99 in 2023 At first glance, these numbers suggest progress. More people are indoors, and fewer families are counted as homeless. But the PI...