2008 Georgia Homeless Count

ObjectiveCount of homeless andprecariously 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

servicesBrief them on plans for January

countSolicit their ideas on other places to

countGet their commitment to participateDo 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 LiveCounting 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 MasseyMassey Consulting

770-632-7872jmassey@mindspring.com

2008 Georgia Homeless Count