2014 Homeless Point-in-Time Count Training

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Training Agenda Training Agenda  Welcome & Introductions  Purpose of Count  Conducting the Count  Understanding the Survey Instrument  Helpful Tips & Advice  Q & A

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Introductions Introductions  Name  Why I’m counting  Count experience  Experience with homelessness

Why Am I Here? Why Am I Here? Message from Amy Casavina Hall of United Way of Greater New Haven about the importance of the PIT count.

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Count Overview  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 

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Why We Count Why We Count  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

Statewide Effort

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts MACH Region MACH Region Aiken Allendale Bamberg Barnwell Calhoun Chester Fairfield Kershaw Lancaster Lexington Newberry Orangeburg Richland York

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Methodology Methodology  January  ‘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

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Who We Count Who We Count Sheltered Homeless Sheltered Homeless Emergency shelters, rescue missions, and seasonal shelters Domestic violence shelters (confidential) Hotel or motel paid for by public orprivate funds in lieu of a shelter bed Imminent risk – 14 days

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Sheltered Locations Sheltered Locations  Emergency shelters and transitional housing City of Columbia Emergency Shelter Transitions  Domestic violence shelters Sistercare  Residential programs for runaway/homeless youth  Motels or apartment vouchers paid for by a public or private agency because the individual or family is homeless

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Who We Count Who We Count Unsheltered Homeless 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)

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Unsheltered Locations Unsheltered Locations  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”

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Key Subpopulations 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

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts What About Doubled Up? What About Doubled Up?  Staying temporarily with friends, family (“couch-surfing”)  Although at risk, HUD does not consider this population homeless  Awaiting HUD direction for future counts

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts PIT Count Form PIT Count Form Survey Instrument Video

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Interview Tips Interview Tips  Initiate a conversation  Introduce yourself and be respectful  Speak clearly  Explain the count and why you are counting  Get informed consent  Maintain confidentiality

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts 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?”  “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?”

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Interviewing Basics Interviewing Basics  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

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Interviewing Basics Interviewing Basics  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

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts After the Interaction After the Interaction  Thank the person  Offer incentive pack  Keep the form in a safe place  Return all forms to County Coordinators within 24 hours

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Do Not Collect Information On: Do Not Collect Information On:  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) Doubled Up  Individuals or families that are Doubled Up

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Community Resources Community Resources

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Count Safety Count Safety  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

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Emergency Procedures Emergency Procedures  Focus on prevention - do not take chances – be smart, be careful, prevent accidents before they happen  Emergency – 911  Non-emergency line –

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Count Gear Count Gear  Layered clothes with pockets and comfy shoes  Picture ID  Flashlight  Pens  Clipboards  Charged cell phone  Count Forms  Schedules

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts 2013 PIT Count 2013 PIT Count State Total: 6035 Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Unsheltered Emergency Shelter: 1535Transitional Housing: 1384Unsheltered: % From 2011

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts 2013 PIT Count 2013 PIT Count MACH Total: 2070 Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Unsheltered Emergency Shelter: 609Transitional Housing: 463Unsheltered: % From 2011

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts MACH #s by County Aiken: 15 Allendale: 3 Bamberg: 4 Barnwell: 0 Calhoun: 5 Chester: 20 Fairfield: 18 Kershaw: 54 Lancaster: 9 Lexington: 121 Newberry: 13 Orangeburg: 63 Richland: 1518 York: 187

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts 2013 Fun Facts 2013 Fun Facts  First PIT that Richland County utilized Columbia Police Department Richland: Greenville: Horry:  Big numbers in the state: Richland: 1518 Greenville: 896 Horry: 839  See entire report on

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts 2013 Fun Facts 2013 Fun Facts  MACH represented 34% of the state count  Richland County represented 74% of the MACH count

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Next Steps Next Steps  Questions?  Shift preferences  Get comfortable with the PIT Count Form  Scout your assigned locations prior to the count  Visit

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts Contact Info Contact Info Richland County Coordinators May Kirby Michele Murff Makarios Tabor

Everyone Counts Everyone Counts THANK YOU