@article{ref1,
title="Enhanced methodologies to enumerate persons experiencing homelessness in a large urban area",
journal="Evaluation review",
year="2015",
author="Troisi, Catherine L. and D'Andrea, Ritalinda and Grier, Gary and Williams, Stephen",
volume="39",
number="5",
pages="480-500",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Homelessness is a public health problem, and persons experiencing homelessness are a vulnerable population. Estimates of the number of persons experiencing homelessness inform funding allocations and services planning and directly determine the ability of a community to intervene effectively in homelessness. The point-in-time (PIT) count presents a logistical problem in large urban areas, particularly those covering a vast geographical area. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Working together, academia, local government, and community organizations improved the methodology for the count. Specific enhancements include use of incident command system (ICS), increased number of staging areas/teams, specialized outreach and Special Weapons and Tactics teams, and day-after surveying to collect demographic information. <br><br>RESULTS: This collaboration and enhanced methodology resulted in a more accurate estimate of the number of persons experiencing homelessness and allowed comparison of findings for 4 years. While initial results showed an increase due to improved counting, the number of persons experiencing homelessness counted for the subsequent years showed significant decrease during the same time period as a &quot;housing first&quot; campaign was implemented. The collaboration also built capacity in each sector: The health department used ICS as a training opportunity; the academics enhanced their community health efforts; the service sector was taught and implemented more rigorous quantitative methods; and the community was exposed to public health as a pragmatic and effective discipline. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Improvements made to increase the reliability of the PIT count can be adapted for use in other jurisdictions, leading to improved counts and better evaluation of progress in ending homelessness.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0193-841X",
doi="10.1177/0193841X15610191",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0193841X15610191"
}