2014 Homeless
Point-in-Time Count
Training
Training Agenda
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Welcome & Introductions
Purpose of Count
Conducting the Count
Understanding the Survey Instrument
Helpful Tips & Advice
Q&A
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Introductions
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Name
Why I’m counting
Count experience
Experience with homelessness
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Why Am I Here?
Message from Amy Casavina Hall of United Way of
Greater New Haven about the importance of the PIT
count.
Count Overview
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Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count
required by HUD
Unduplicated, one-night count of
sheltered & unsheltered adults, youth,
and children
Subpopulation data
Sixth state-wide count
January 23, 2014
www.schomeless.org
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Why We Count
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Support local planning efforts
Identify the scope and trends of
homelessness and gaps in services
Improve services
Justify new/expanded services
Promote community/political awareness
and advocacy efforts
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Statewide Effort
MACH Region
Aiken
Kershaw
Allendale
Lancaster
Bamberg
Lexington
Barnwell
Newberry
Calhoun
Orangeburg
Chester
Richland
Fairfield
York
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Methodology
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January 23 - 26
‘Snapshot’ of homelessness
Sheltered Count:
• HMIS
• Surveys of people in shelters not in HMIS
Unsheltered surveys: Trained volunteers in
teams conducting one-on-one interviews with
people who may be experiencing homelessness
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Who We Count
Sheltered Homeless
•Emergency shelters, rescue missions, and
seasonal shelters
•Domestic violence shelters (confidential)
•Hotel or motel paid for by public or private
funds in lieu of a shelter bed
•Imminent risk – 14 days
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Sheltered Locations
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Emergency shelters and transitional housing
• City of Columbia Emergency Shelter
• Transitions
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Domestic violence shelters
• Sistercare
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Residential programs for runaway/homeless
youth
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Motels or apartment vouchers paid for by a
public or private agency because the individual
or family is homeless
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Who We Count
Unsheltered Homeless
•Places not meant for human habitation
(e.g., in cars, under bridges, in tents, on
streets, in abandoned building, in public
restrooms, in garages)
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Unsheltered Locations
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Under bridges
Parking garages
Parks
Cemeteries
Downtown metro areas near homeless services
or meal locations
Wooded areas behind gas stations/stores
Near churches
“Street Sweeps”
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Key Subpopulations
Persons with:
-Long-term physical disabilities/chronic health conditions
-Mental illnesses
-Developmental disabilities
-Substance abuse disorders
-HIV/AIDS
Those who are:
-Veterans
-Victims of domestic violence
-Experiencing long-term homelessness
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What About Doubled Up?
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Staying temporarily with friends, family
(“couch-surfing”)
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Although at risk, HUD does not consider
this population homeless
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Awaiting HUD direction for future counts
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PIT Count Form
Survey Instrument Video
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Interview Tips
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Initiate a conversation
Introduce yourself and be respectful
Speak clearly
Explain the count and why you are counting
Get informed consent
Maintain confidentiality
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Initiating the Conversation
Explain the PIT and Why We are Counting
“Hi, I’m May, a volunteer with the Point-in-Time Count. Have you
heard of the count?”
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“Every year area service providers and volunteers try to get an
accurate figure on how many people do/did not have a place
to stay tonight/January 23rd. May I explain a few things and
then ask you some questions?”
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Interviewing Basics
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Practice to feel comfortable before the Count
Speak clearly
Only ask questions on the form
Stick to the format of the questions
Repeat questions, when necessary
Don’t answer a question for them
Avoid Don’t Know/Refused responses
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Interviewing Basics
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Don’t skip questions – Double Check
Fill out ENTIRE FORM – Double Check Again
Complete shaded areas on form
Write clearly and legibly
Remain neutral (not, “Wow! That’s terrible!”)
Don’t case manage
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After the Interaction
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Thank the person
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Offer incentive pack
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Keep the form in a safe place
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Return all forms to County Coordinators
within 24 hours
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Do Not Collect Information On:
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People who were formerly homeless – may still
be in the culture
Children or youth who are temporarily residing
in institutions (emergency foster care, treatment
facilities)
Adults living in mental health, chemical
dependency or criminal justice facilities
Precariously housed vs. imminent risk (14 Days)
Individuals or families that are Doubled Up
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Community Resources
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Count Safety
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Have a home base – Tillis Center
Stay with your team
Do not carry money or purses or give money
away, no flashy jewelry
Refer to your count schedule for team contact
info
Make sure everyone knows the schedule and
the emergency plan
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Emergency Procedures
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Focus on prevention - do not take chances – be
smart, be careful, prevent accidents before
they happen
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Emergency – 911
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Non-emergency line – 803-252-2911
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Count Gear
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Layered clothes with pockets and comfy
shoes
Picture ID
Flashlight
Pens
Clipboards
Charged cell phone
Count Forms
Schedules
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2013 PIT Count
State Total: 6035
•Emergency Shelter: 1535
•Transitional Housing: 1384
•Unsheltered: 3116
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28.3%
From
2011
2013 PIT Count
MACH Total: 2070
•Emergency Shelter: 609
•Transitional Housing: 463
•Unsheltered: 998
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27.7%
From
2011
MACH #s by County
Aiken: 15
Kershaw: 54
Allendale: 3
Lancaster: 9
Bamberg: 4
Lexington: 121
Barnwell: 0
Newberry: 13
Calhoun: 5
Orangeburg: 63
Chester: 20
Richland: 1518
Fairfield: 18
York: 187
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2013 Fun Facts
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First PIT that Richland County utilized
Columbia Police Department
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Big numbers in the state: Richland: 1518
Greenville: 896
Horry: 839
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See entire report on www.schomeless.org
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2013 Fun Facts
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MACH represented 34% of the state count
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Richland County represented 74% of the
MACH count
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Next Steps
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Questions?
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Shift preferences
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Get comfortable with the PIT Count Form
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Scout your assigned locations prior to the count
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Visit www.schomeless.org
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Contact Info
Richland County Coordinators
May Kirby
mkirby@mirci.org
381-1822
Michele Murff
lmm16@scdmh.org
397-1341
Makarios Tabor makarios.tabor@uscmed.sc.edu 212-8970
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THANK YOU
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