2008 Point In Time Homeless Count Leaders

1. 2008 Point In Time Homeless CountLeaders Unsheltered July Count July 15, 2008

2. What does it mean to count homeless people? • A “Count”=collecting information about the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population in your community • Descriptive information • On those counted • Demographic • Service use • Needs Data on the number of homeless people Point-in-time Count of Homeless people + =

3. Why Count? • Obtain current and accurate data on the number and characteristics of homeless persons for program planning to justify requests for additional funding of resources • Policy and planning decisions--plan for future services • Public awareness • Funder requirements--Continuum of Care application and other non-HUD funding

4. Why Collect Information on Unsheltered Homeless? • Find out how many people are not utilizing available shelters and resources • Determine where in the community individuals live • Learn how many of those surveyed are chronically homeless • Learn how to intervene with people who have recently become homeless or are on the verge of homelessness, to prevent chronic homelessness

5. Benefits of Accurate Data on Homelessness Communities need accurate data to: • Make funding recommendations to elected officials • Determine the size and scope of homelessness at the local level • Track local trends of homeless population • Plan services and programs to appropriately address local needs • Measure progress in addressing homelessness • Measure performance of individual programs and the systems as a whole HUD needs data to: • Understand the extent and nature of homelessness throughout the country • Provide Congress with information on available services and gaps in services • Report to Congress on performance of programs • Make funding decisions

6. Benefits of Counting Twice a Year • Get a more accurate picture of the homeless situation in the State of Missouri • To track the trends and changes in Summer vs. Winter Seasons • Incorporate homelessness awareness and education in the community twice a year

7. Methods for Counting--Unsheltered 1. Simple street count with observation -- No interviews-- record observations of people 2. Street count plus interviews 3. Service-based count --interviews at non-shelter service locations that unsheltered homeless people rely on to survive– i.e.= soup kitchens or food banks, drop-in centers, healthcare centers, emergency rooms, Churches, etc.

8. When to Count? • The time period for data collection: -- 24 hour time-period (Midnight to Midnight) The BoS CoC will be conducting a Winter and Summer count starting 2008 • Summer Count will take place on July 15, 2008

9. Team Leader Duties Team leaders take responsibility for the data collection process for their county • Solicit volunteers to assist with the count, and turn in signed Volunteer Release Forms—due to MHDC by July 1st • Delegate duties to volunteers • Be the primary contact for volunteers in your area • Coordinate donation distribution (optional) • Create resource sheet (optional) • Map out areas to conduct the count • Assign team volunteers to mapped areas of the county to complete surveys • Contact agencies to complete surveys for clients that come in for services • Ensure that services are in place for night of the count (optional) • Collect surveys and send in to MHDC—due to MHDC by August 1st

10. Where to Solicit Volunteers? • Colleges/ Universities • Homeless liaison with school districts • Public assistance offices • Youth outreach workers • Local law enforcement • Churches • Compensated work therapy clients • Formerly homeless persons • Friends and family

11. Where to Count? • Foreclosed homes • Campgrounds • Riverbanks • Under bridges • Wooded areas • Vacant buildings • Truck stops • 24 hour stores • Libraries • Parks • Etc.

12. Where to Count Cont. • Ask local law enforcement to help locate areas where homeless stay • Pay attention a few weeks before the count, you may notice new areas that you should visit for the count • Ask formerly homeless people or those that visit the local soup kitchens and food pantries for ideas on where to look • Ask other local service providers

13. Documents to Help with the Count… These forms and letters will be provided to Team Leaders from the CoC Lead Agency (MHDC) • Media release (if requested) • Letters to businesses • Donation request letter (if requested) • Volunteer release form • Power point training for volunteers • Survey forms

14. Form Deadlines • Completed Volunteer Release forms are due to MHDC by July 1st • Completed Survey Forms are due to MHDC by August 1st. • These can be faxed, mailed, or scanned and e-mailed in to your Region’s Coordinator at MHDC (see the following slides for contact information)

15. Regions 2, 3, 4, and 10 (Counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Dekalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Johnson, Knox, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Monroe, Nodaway, Pettis, Pike, Platte, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Clair, Sullivan, and Worth) • MHDC, Attention: Nathan Stock 3435 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111 • Fax: 816-759-6638, Attention: Nathan Stock • E-mail: nstock@mhdc.com

16. Regions 1 and 5 (Counties: Audrain, Bollinger, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Howard, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, Osage, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington) • MHDC, Attention: Mandy Fangmann 3435 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111 • Fax: 816-759-6638, Attention: Mandy Fangmann • E-mail: mfangmann@mhdc.com

17. Regions 6, 7, 8, and 9 (Counties: Barry, Barton, Butler, Carter, Cedar, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ozark, Oregon, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, and Wright) • MHDC, Attention: Jenni Holtaway 3435 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111 • Fax: 816-759-6638, Attention: Jenni Holtaway • E-mail: jholtaway@mhdc.com

18. For Questions Contact: • Your county’s Continuum of Care Staff • Mandy Fangmann 816-759-7203 mfangmann@mhdc.com • Nathan Stock 816-759-7222 nstock@mhdc.com • Jenni Holtaway 816-759-6614 jholtaway@mhdc.com