IUPUI helps count, analyze homelessness in Indianapolis
Family homelessness in Indianapolis increased by 78 percent from 2008 to 2009, according to an alarming new study. Additionally, the study found 1,454 homeless persons in Marion County on the night of the study: Jan. 29, 2009.
For the third year running the Indiana University Center for Health Policy partnered with the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention to perform a count and survey of the homeless. The center estimates that the number of people who experience homelessness at some point during the year is three to five times greater than the number from the count.
The 2009 Indianapolis Homeless Count shows that 213 families were homeless on the date on which the count was held. That was up from 120 families in January 2008. According to Laura Littlepage, an IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs lecturer who authored the report, it is important to also recognize the number of families "doubled up" with family or friends. These are not represented in the study and would greatly increase the numbers.
Contributing to the count were students enrolled in an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis service learning course titled "Do the Homeless Count." Students worked on survey teams sent throughout the city and also helped combine the data.
Taking part in the count often has an impact on the students, as many continue to volunteer after termination of the course. Littlepage describes the transition as students learning to see the homeless "as people and not as stereotypes." Students begin to recognize that anyone can become homeless -- the only thing homeless people have in common is a lack of housing.
When homeless people were asked the cause of their homelessness, the number one response was lost employment. Second was alcohol and drugs, followed by eviction, foreclosure and natural disaster. Within the "other" category, surveyors recorded health issues, family problems, felony conviction and no work.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that every community receiving federal funds for programs to aid the homeless must conduct a count every two years during the last two weeks of January. Since 2007, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention has performed the Indianapolis count, partnering with the Center for Health Policy.
By supplying HUD with accurate data, Indianapolis is able to take advantage of federal funds and resources to aid the homeless. Combined with housing inventory data, the information can be used to provide legislators with information on homeless services, identify existing gaps in service and make informed funding decisions. Locally, it is used for planning and program development in nonprofits serving the homeless and to raise public awareness and community involvement.
For instance, the count found that many people are not receiving aid for which they are eligible -- such as food stamps, Medicaid, Social Security or Medicare. Those that were frequenting shelters were much more likely to be taking advantage of aid available to them.
The count was carried out by pre-assigned teams in block-by-block street counts throughout the city. Typically the teams were led by outreach workers with students acting as recorders. Additionally, IUPUI nursing students went to local emergency rooms and other teams searched libraries and public buildings. All homeless counts are undertaken in the last week of January with the intent of making the count easier, since the cold weather encourages the use of shelters. This also adds consistency to reports submitted nationwide.
Read the full report at http://www.policyinstitute.iu.edu/news.aspx?NewsID=193.
