Julie Eberbach, Associate Director Institute for Community Alliances and Dusty Noble, SSVF Program Supervisor Hawkeye Area Community Action Program January 6, 10:00 AM January 7, 1:30 PM

Presentation Take Away By the end of the presentation you should have an understanding of: How to conduct a PIT count in your community. Documentation requirements. Recommended strategies in conducting a count. Important Definitions Please note that this presentation was created under the assumption that you are somewhat familiar with the PIT.

General “Point In Time” Information Must be completed the last 10 days of January. Count of “sheltered persons” is now required annually. Housing Inventory must also be done annually. Count of unsheltered persons (Street Count) now required – but on a bi-annual basis. Iowa has elected to seek a street count annually.

2016 Essential Street Count Info Date: January 27, 2016 PIT Manual Do you have one? resources/documents/PIT- Count-Methodology-Guide.pdf resources/documents/PIT- Count-Methodology-Guide.pdf

Literally Homeless Definition Definition: Individuals and families “with a primary night time residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground” on the night designated for the count. “Not meant for human habitation.” Where are you sleeping tonight?

Not Literally Homeless Persons living in housing, even though they are paying an excessive amount for their housing, the housing is substandard and in need of repair, or the housing is crowded. Persons living with relatives or friends. Persons staying in a motel, including a pay-by-the-week motels Persons living in a Board and Care, Adult Congregate Living Facility, or similar place. Persons being discharged from an institution that is required to provide or arrange housing upon release. *(Unless they resided in an institution for 90 days or less and were homeless at the time of admission.) Wards of the State, although youth in foster care may receive needed supportive services which supplements, but does not substitute for, the state’s assistance.

Methods There are 2 primary approaches to completing unsheltered point in time counts: Known Locations and Service Based approaches The best approach is using a combination of both. The manual covers probability sampling and extrapolation. The Balance of State does not use sampling or extrapolation, and we ask that you do not employ these techniques. Use will result in an inconsistent state wide methodology and final count. Public Places and Service Based counts are the most accurate methods when conducting your local count and the recommended approach.

Known Locations Involves physically visiting known locations where homeless people are present. Identify known locations where one can expect to find unsheltered homeless people. Reconnaissance! Build rapport with those on the street. Do mock counts long before the actual date. Be creative Who might know? Linn County Examples Formerly Homeless

Known Locations (cont.) Locations that should be included in your count: Parks Alleys Parking Lots and Ramps Public Transportation Systems Campgrounds Encampments, tent cities, shantytowns Under overpasses/bridges Libraries, Water Control Systems 24-Hour Commercial Establishments (i.e., laundromats, convenience stores, coffee shops, etc. Be Creative

Planning Your Local Team Team Structure? Members of local coalitions for the homeless People who work with persons experiencing homelessness Outreach workers Emergency Shelter Staff Homeless Youth Providers VA Staff Human Service professionals Mental Health Staff Detox Program Staff Formerly or currently homeless individuals State or City Workers – in agencies supporting homeless services or housing

Planning Your Local Team Law Enforcement (e.g., police, sheriff, park rangers, etc.) Community Service Volunteers (AmeriCorps, etc.) Churches or other religious organizations College or University Students Neighborhood Associations Business Associations

Working with Volunteers Will there be teams? If so what does that look like? Safety An under emphasized portion of the PIT Leadership training Considering the what ifs Experience we take for granted. Selling the PIT to volunteers.

Service Based Method Approach based on the understanding that some homeless who are not in shelter will nevertheless use other services. This method focuses on conducting interviews (including identifying information) with users of non-shelter services and locations frequented by people who are homeless. This method is particularly appropriate in jurisdictions that have few or no homeless specific programs. Service based counts can extend beyond the 1 day, since it may be that homeless persons may not access these services on a daily basis. But it may not extend beyond 7 days after the designated count night.

Service Based Method For Iowa, if your jurisdiction determines it will survey persons beyond the night of the count, the survey must include: the person’s name – which requires informed consent. This will prevent possible duplicate counting. Surveys beyond the night of the count must be completed by Saturday, January 30 th and verify that the person interviewed was on the street on the night of January 27 th. If you determine locally you will interview beyond the night of the count, please contact ICA for a detailed survey and release of information document.

Service Based Method Common locations for service based counts and surveys of unsheltered homeless people include: Outreach Programs Soup kitchens Food Pantries, Clothing Programs Health Care for the Homeless Sites, Public Health Departments, Community Health Clinics Community Action Partnership Agencies (CAPs) Social Human Service Agencies (Welfare, etc) Youth Drop-In Centers Day Labor Sites Day Shelters, Drop-in and Warming Centers Employment Centers Libraries Churches, and other religious institutions that provide homeless services

Offer Services Provide service, shelter and housing information Clinic hours Meal sites Shelter options PSH opportunities if available Provide incentives Cash cards from local gas stations Bottled water Hand/foot warmers Blankets Socks and/or non perishable food items

Counting Unsheltered Persons Street Count should be done within a prescribed, time limited period. This can be locally determined. However, it is critical to note that the term ‘night’ signifies a single period of time from sunset to sunrise, which spans two actual dates. The ‘night of the count’ begins at sunset on the date of the count and ends at sunrise on the following day. 12:01 am January 27, :01 am January 28, 2016 Sunset – January 27, Sunrise - January 28, 2016 Follow up can be done if needed at a later time. Balance of State provides and recommends use of a survey. The date of the countThe night of the count

Review of the Survey Form Observation vs Interview If at all possible, an interview is preferred, but the form allows for designation of “observation”. One form per person – very important! If a household is encountered please use the same household name at the top of the form for each person in the household – even if the actual last name is different among household members. Total number in the household (by age category) should be noted on the head of household’s form. Demographics Age; collect birthdate if possible, but age or estimated age is an option as well. Gender; male, female or transgender Race; select one primary race

Review of the Survey Form Length of Time Homeless Length of time homeless for current episode Number of times homeless (in ES or Street) in the past three years Cumulative length of time homeless during the past three years Disability Check the circle for all categories that apply to the person Veterans Status For adults only – if person indicates he/she served in the military, you will also complete the “Veteran Supplemental Form” questions on the reverse side of the form. If the client gives her/his permission, this information will be provided to the VA. Victim of Domestic Violence This question refers to any history of domestic violence, but if the person indicates this is currently occurring, please take steps to assist the person to safely seek assistance.

Street Count Reporting Deadlines By January 22, 2016, please let Julie Eberbach know that you will be participating in the unsheltered count for your area and the area that will be covered, i.e city, county, multi county, etc. Obtain the most amount of data possible. Our staff will assemble the summary data, without detail it will be difficult for us to reconcile. Forward all survey forms to our agency. Survey forms due to be turned in no later than: Monday, February 8, Survey forms should be scanned and ed to Julie Eberbach If you are not able to scan the forms, please fax or mail (USPS) to: Julie Eberbach Institute for Community Alliances 1111 – 9 th Street, Suite 245 Des Moines, IA FAX:

Additional Resources Institute for Community Alliances Iowa Finance Authority HUD Exchange

Questions? Contact… Julie Eberbach, Institute for Community Alliances – Office Or Dusty Noble, SSVF Program Supervisor Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (319) Office