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Point-in-Time Count January 2011

Point-in-Time Count January 2011. What Does It Mean to Count Homeless People?. A “count” = collecting information about the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population in your community. Descriptive information on those counted Demographic Service Use Needs.

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Point-in-Time Count January 2011

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  1. Point-in-Time CountJanuary 2011

  2. What Does It Mean to Count Homeless People? A “count” = collecting information about the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population in your community • Descriptive • information on • those counted • Demographic • Service Use • Needs Point-in-time count of homeless people Data on the number of homeless people + = It is possible just to do a count, but preferable to gather descriptive information, too - it will make your count much more valuable and informative!

  3. Why is the PIT Important? • Identify gaps in services • Generates resources for the community • Local data for planning & measuring progress • Data is reported in CoC application • AHAR to Congress • HUD Data Exchange System (HDX)

  4. Data Collected • Subpopulation Information required for CoC • Chronically homeless • Severely mentally ill • Chronic substance abuse • Veterans • Persons with HIV/AIDS • Victims of domestic violence • Unaccompanied youth (Under 18) • Persons with physical disabilities

  5. Additional Data • Medical care • Transportation issues • Education • Employment • Childcare • Locality of homelessness

  6. Methods for Data Collection • Provider data collection • Total number of households and persons residing in facilities on the night of the count • Number in each of the seven subpopulation categories • Client level data collection • Staff complete individual surveys for each client using case management records or their knowledge of the client • CoC staff, volunteers, or program staff interview clients directly

  7. Challenges for Rural Areas • Lack of shelters • Where to look for unsheltered homeless people • Remoteness • Availability of staff and volunteer resources • Belief that there are no, or very few, unsheltered homeless • Limited resources/funding

  8. Overcoming Challenges • Engage local departments of social services • Call upon local colleges and universities • Utilize the faith community • Make contact with local jails • Mail carriers • Contact mental health agencies/community service boards • You may even want to contact local hotel owners that may know of people who stay periodically

  9. When to Start. . . • At least 6 months prior to January due date • Train volunteers • Conduct a trial run for unsheltered count with emphasis on engaging street homeless • Meet with service providers • Review prior year’s survey for inconsistencies

  10. Your Survey Tool • Keep the survey instrument simple • Collect universal data elements (race, gender, ethnicity) • Develop key codes to ensure there is no duplication

  11. Resources • www.hudhre.gov • http://www.hudhre.info/documents/counting_unsheltered.pdf • http://www.hudhre.info/documents/counting_sheltered.pdf You have not lived a perfect day...unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you. ~ Ruth Smeltzer

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