Embargoed until Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 11.30 a.m.
How’s Nashville
Registry Week Fact Sheet
May 29-31, 2013
During May 29-31, 2013, between the hours of 3:30am and 7:30am, 20 teams made up over 100
community volunteers canvassed the streets and campsites of Nashville, TN. Specialized teams also
targeted the Nashville Rescue Mission the week prior and Room in the Inn’s Respite program. The
volunteer teams used Community Solutions’ Vulnerability Index to survey and create a by-name list of
individuals experiencing street homelessness who are most at risk of premature death.
In addition to systematically gathering the names, pictures, and dates of birth of individuals sleeping on
the streets, the teams also captured data on their health status, institutional history (jail, prison,
hospital, and military), length of homelessness, patterns of shelter use, and previous housing situation.
These data were collected by use of a 41 item questionnaire. The Vulnerability Index was used to
identify those who have been homeless the longest and are the most vulnerable. This list will be used to
target new and available housing and service resources to the most vulnerable in an effort to reduce
chronic homelessness in Nashville.
The Vulnerability Index is based on research by Dr. Jim O’Connell, which shows certain medical
conditions place a homeless individual at a higher risk than others for dying if they remain on the
streets.
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Embargoed until Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 11.30 a.m.
Results
 469 individuals experiencing street homelessness were identified and surveyed in Nashville,
including campsites.
 222 (47%) were found to have health conditions associated with a high mortality risk.
 More than 100 community volunteers helped administer the surveys.
 270 (57%) of pictures were taken as part of the survey.
At-Risk Indicators
Indicator
At-Risk Tri-Morbid
At-Risk ER or Hospitalized Over 3X
At-Risk ER over 3X
At-Risk Age Over 60
At-Risk HIV/AIDS
At-Risk Liver Disease
At-Risk Kidney Disease
At-Risk Cold/Wet Weather Injury
Number
103 (22%)
108 (23%)
75 (16%)
61 (13%)
11 (2%)
53 (11%)
22 (5%)
42 (9%)
Older Adults
 115 (25%) are over 55 years old. Average age for all surveyed is 49 years.
 The oldest respondent was 79 years old.
 350 (75%) individuals reported being homeless longer than 1 year.
 The longest reported length of homelessness was 36 years.
Years Homeless
 The average years homeless for the vulnerable population is 7.6 years.
 The average years homeless for the Non-Vulnerable population is 3.6 years.
Service Needs (Total Surveyed)

157 (33%) people reported a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse.

159 (34%) people reported a history only of substance abuse.

58 (12%) people reported only signs or symptoms of mental illness.

374 (80%) of respondents report at least one behavioral health issue.
Veterans (Total surveyed)

67 (14%) surveyed were Veterans.

75% were honorably discharged.

40 of the Veterans met criteria for “Vulnerable.”
Youth & Foster Care (Total surveyed)
 53 (11%) respondents report having a history of foster care.
 15 respondents were under 25 years old.
 The youngest respondent was 18 years old.
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Embargoed until Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 11.30 a.m.


6 respondents under the age of 25 have increased mortality risks specific to adults.
4 respondents under the age of 25 have increased mortality risks specific to that age group.
(Youth risk factors are HIV/AIDS, drink alcohol everyday for past 30 days, injection drug use.)
Inpatient Hospitalizations (Total surveyed)
 A total of 459 inpatient hospitalizations were reported in the past year at an average annual cost
of $671,058. This assumes 1 day per hospitalization at cost of $1,462 per day (Kaiser Fam, 2010).
Emergency Room Visits (Total surveyed)
 A total of 663 ER visits were reported by all respondents in the last 3 months for an annual cost
of $1,326,000. This assumes $500 cost per ER visit.
 Inpatient and ER costs combined total over $1,997,058 annually for 249 people.
Health System Impacts (Total surveyed)
 265 (57%) report having no insurance.
 The majority of respondents go to:
Metro General Hospital - 119
Downtown Clinic (UNHS) – 95
Baptist Hospital – 60
Vanderbilt Hospital – 43
VA – 16
Centennial Hospital – 8
Southern Hills – 7
St. Thomas - 7
Summit Medical – 3
Income Source
 126 individuals report working “on the books.”
 100 individuals report having Social Security Benefits of some sort.
 10 receive VA disability.
 209 receive Food Stamps.
 87 individuals report working “off the books.”
 62 individuals report income from panhandling.
 34 individuals report income from recycling.
 10 individuals report income from sex or drug trade.
Violence
 167 (36%) report being a victim of a violent attack since becoming homeless.
Brain Injury
 124 (26%) report suffering from a brain injury.
How’s Nashville is a community-wide, collaborative, and inclusive effort to end chronic homelessness in
Nashville within this decade. It was launched by the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission in 2013.
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Embargoed until Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 11.30 a.m.
The How’s Nashville campaign is driven by community partners that meet regularly to work on the
initiative’s goals and monitor its progress.
Contact Information:
Will Connelly, Director, Metropolitan Homelessness Commission
615.862.6401
will.connelly@nashville.gov
Judith Tackett, Communications, Metropolitan Homelessness
Commission
615.517.7000
judith.tackett@nashville.gov
How’s Nashville Leadership Team:
Ingrid McIntyre, Open Table Nashville
Kirby Davis, First Management Services
Suzie Tolmie, MDHA
Madge Johnson, Open Table Nashville, Living Room
Ashley Blum, Park Center, Inc.
100,000 Homes Campaign (Community Solutions)
Metropolitan Homelessness Commission
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