2013 Georgia
Homeless Count
Objective
Count of homeless and
precariously housed families and
individuals
 Understand
the scope of
the problem locally and
statewide
 Federal requirement for
programs serving the homeless
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Definitions
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Sheltered Homeless Persons
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Unsheltered Homeless Persons
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People who reside in an emergency shelter or in
transitional/supportive housing for homeless persons
People who reside in a place not meant for human habitation,
such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings,
encampments
Imminently Homeless Persons
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People who expect to leave their current residence
within 2 weeks, have not identified
where they are staying next, and do
not have the means to obtain
permanent housing
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Count Methodology
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Housing screening surveys
administered at service locations
and other places where homeless
people congregate or live
Point In Time: January 28, 2013
Surveys collected January 29 –
February 4
Surveys returned to local
coordinator
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Housing Stability Survey
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Designed to be
administered by staff
or by volunteers
No more than 10
minutes
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Who Is Surveyed?
Screening Question: Have you had any
difficulty with housing in the past
month?
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Collecting Surveys
How can surveys be
collected?
 Interviews with people with
housing difficulties
(administered by staff or
volunteers)
 On the telephone with
people seeking assistance
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Where are surveys
collected?
 Service Locations
 Community Locations
(Library, etc.)
 At the location they are
living (dilapidated housing,
abandoned trailers, farm
buildings, or encampments)
 Other places – street, parks
Survey Protocol
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Survey one adult per household (over 17)
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May interview unaccompanied teens
Conduct interviews rather than allowing
someone to self administer whenever
possible
Confidentiality
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Private location
Do not share information
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
General Interview Techniques
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Voice and body language neutral
Affirm responses
Personalize questions
Remind participants that their participation and/or
responses will not affect their receipt of services
Remind participants that they can refuse to
answer any of the questions
Thank them for participating
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Incentives
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Your county coordinator will let you know if
there are small gift bags or fast food coupons
for survey participants
Way of thanking survey participants for their
help
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Beginning the Interview
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Introduce yourself
Ask screening question
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Ask if they have already completed the survey this week
Explain purpose
Answer their questions/concerns
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If you can’t answer their questions, refer to county coordinator or DCA
Refusals
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Have you had any difficulty with housing in the past
month?
Respond to concerns
Respect their right to refuse
Remind them that this will not affect their ability to receive services
Some of the questions are sensitive. Respondents can skip
questions that they would rather not answer.
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Beginning the Interview
Hello, my name is (NAME). All this week, agency
staff and volunteers around Georgia are asking
people about their housing situations and various
factors that affect people’s ability to get housing.
Your answers will be kept in the strictest confidence
and will be grouped with all of the surveys collected
in the state this week. Your name will not be
recorded on the survey. It will only take about 10
minutes to complete. Your participation . . . yes or
no . . . will not affect your services in any way. Are
you willing to participate?
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Survey Form Instructions
[Page 6 of Instruction Guide]
Be sure to use Black or Blue Ink
Fill in bubbles completely and fit all letters and numbers completely
within the boxes
Questions 1 and 2; Initials and Birth date
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to be used only to check for duplicate surveys
continue interview even if you do not get information
Question 3
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Where did you stay Monday, January 28th?
Don’t need to read all options – just categorize their response for them
Question 4A
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Ask if they stayed in a house or apartment (their own or with
friends/family) or hotel or motel on the 28th. If yes, do they expect to be
able to stay there for at least the next two weeks? If no, ask the two
follow-up questions.
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Question 4B
Is the house or apartment in safe and
livable condition?
You may need to help them
make determination if they are unsure
Must be unfit for a person
to live in (no running water or electricity,
lack of plumbing, not structurally sound)?
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Survey Instructions (cont.)
Question 5 - In what city and county did you first
become homeless?
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Refers to current episode of homelessness.
Question 6 – Do you consider yourself homeless at this
time?
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Record their answer (even if you don’t agree – record their
perception of their situation). Their answer will not affect
how their survey will be categorized.
If they answer no, skip A, B, C
How long have you been homeless?
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refers to current episode
How often in the past three years? Includes this episode
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may need to help them think about 2010, 2011, and 2012
Survey Instructions (cont.)
Question 7
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Household members
If the respondent is staying with family or friends,
do not include the people whose home they are
currently staying in
Question 8
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Veteran status
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Survey Instructions (cont.)
Question 9: Have you experienced the following?
Read choices and check all that apply. Do not probe for details.
If they are unsure, provide examples (see handbook).
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Severe mental illness
HIV/AIDS
Chronic drug abuse
Chronic alcohol abuse
Chronic medical condition
Physical disability
Kicked out of the home BEFORE
the age of 18
Kicked out of the home AFTER
the age of 18
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
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Aged out of Foster Care
Felony Conviction
Family Violence
Involvement in Foster Care (as a
parent)
Involvement in Foster Care (as a
youth)
Left home voluntarily before the
age of 18
Recently discharged from an
institution (such as a hospital or
prison)
Survey Instructions (cont.)
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Question 10 & 11–Emergency Room Visits
Question 12 – Family Violence
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Is family violence responsible for the
CURRENT housing instability
Question 13 – Work for pay
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Full time = 32+ hours a week
Part time = regular hours, less than 32+
Day Labor = day to day work or occasional work
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Survey Instructions (cont.)
Question 14 – Benefits and Services
• Read choices and check all that apply
• See handbook for more description
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Food Stamps (SNAP)
SSI
TANF
Unemployment
PeachCare
Social Security
SSI Disability
Workman’s Comp
Medicaid
Veterans Benefits
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2013 Georgia Homeless Count
DHS Independent Living Services
(ILP)
Mental Health or Addiction Services
DBHDD Georgia Housing Voucher
Homeless Prevention Rapid ReHousing (HPRP)
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
Veterans Supportive Housing
Voucher (VASH)
GeorgiaCares (for Seniors)
Homelessness Prevention
Rapid Re-Housing
Completing the Interview
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Demographics
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Gender, orientation, ethnicity, race
It is better if the respondent completes this
section himself/herself.
Check survey for completeness
 Thank them for their help
 Ask if they have any questions
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2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Completed Surveys
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Return completed surveys to local
coordinator by February 6th
NOTE to County Coordinators – put
information here about what to do with the
completed surveys
2013 Georgia Homeless Count
Thank you for your help!
Insert your contact information here
2013 Georgia Homeless Count