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2008 Georgia Homeless Count. Objective. Count of homeless and precariously housed families and individuals Understand the scope of the problem locally and statewide HUD requirement for McKinney-Vento Programs. 2008 Georgia Homeless Count.
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Objective Count of homeless and precariously housed families and individuals • Understand the scope of the problem locally and statewide • HUD requirement for McKinney-Vento Programs 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Count Methodology for Unsheltered and Precariously Housed • Housing screening surveys administered at service locations and other places where homeless people congregate or live • Point In Time: January 27, 2008 • Surveys collected January 28-February 1 • Surveys returned to KSU for data input 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Definitions • Sheltered Homeless Persons • People who reside in an emergency shelter or in transitional/supportive housing for homeless persons • Unsheltered Homeless Persons • People who reside in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, encampments, dilapidated buildings • Precariously Housed Persons • People who are temporarily staying with family or friends due to loss of housing or economic hardship • People who are living in motel situations due to loss of housing or economic hardship 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Questionnaire • Designed to be administered by staff or by volunteers • No more than 10 minutes • Questions to help with problem of duplication • Housing status questions • Family members • Special circumstances 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Who Is Surveyed? • From people seeking services – identify those whose housing is unstable, precarious, or a problem • Screening Question: Have you had any difficulty with housing in the past month? 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Organizing Your Count • Meet with representatives of City and County government • Meet with agencies providing services • Brief them on plans for January count • Solicit their ideas on other places to count • Get their commitment to participate • Do they need volunteers?
Pre Count Advertising • Notify local news media • Good way to recruit volunteers • Organizations to collect data • Incentives
Preparing for the Count • Potential participating organizations/locations for administering the survey • DFACS • Housing Authority • Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens • Clothing Programs • Shelters • CSB, CAA • Health Department • Nonprofits • Day Labor Sites 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Surveying Where People Live Counting people living in dilapidated housing, abandoned trailers, farm buildings, or encampments • Survey at those locations • Establish safety guidelines • Volunteer release form 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Other contacts • Local government • Police Chief and Sheriff • Media • Churches • Family Connections • School and hospital social workers • Others? 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
What a Successful Count Needs • All of the identified organizations on-board and organized to collect the surveys • Trained staff and volunteers • Community support 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Volunteer Safety • Work in teams of two or more • Consult law enforcement • Ask people familiar with the area 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Incentives • Consider giving small gift bags or fast food coupons to survey participants • Provides a way for others in the community to get involved • Way of thanking survey participants for their help 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Additional Counts • Shelter Count - count of those in shelters and transitional housing on January 27 • Jail Count -- incarcerated less than 30 days who would otherwise be homeless • Hospital Count – admitted to the hospital (less than 30 days) who would otherwise be homeless 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Responsibilities of Count Coordinator • Contacting local government and law enforcement officials regarding the count • Identifying service sites for data collection • Recruiting service organizations to participate in the count • Develop contact list of local participating organizations • Recruit and schedule volunteers for survey administration as needed • Provide training to volunteers and staff of participating organizations in administering surveys • Monitor data collection during designated time period and address problems and issues as they arise • Coordinate request for and administration of funding from DCA or other sources 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Returning Completed Surveys • Copy completed surveys • Return Originals to KSU (addresses provided) • Collect surveys on Monday, Feb. 4th • Return surveys by Friday, Feb. 8th 2008 Georgia Homeless Count
Need Help? Dr. Jane Massey Massey Consulting 770-632-7872 jmassey@mindspring.com 2008 Georgia Homeless Count