2017 point-in-time count · 2018. 3. 1. · a 12% decrease from the 2016 count. chronic...

POINT-IN-TIME COUNT2 0 1 7

This distinctive opportunity offers many advantages and implications for the data. These

results are used to assess effectiveness of services and progress, as well as to isolate specific unmet needs. Identifying such needs can be used to advocate for additional federal, state, and local resources which allow the continuation services for those who are experiencing homelessness. On a larger scale, this information is used to determine the impact the Continuum of Care (CoC) has on the homeless population, specifically trends within subpopulations.

Data driven decisions allow communities to better understand the needs of the homeless population; resulting in a more effective use of resources. With this information, communities can focus their efforts and have a clearer understanding of their needs.

The Atlanta CoC has continued to work with partners with the ultimate goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Through this coordinated effort, the Atlanta CoC has continued to see a downward trend in those experiencing homelessness. This report highlights the results of the 2017 PIT Count which occurred on January 23, 2017, as well as comparing trends between 2015 and 2016 PIT Counts.

WHAT’S NEW?

While the 2017 PIT Count utilized the same census method as the previous year, a couple of notable improvements were incorporated. The improvements are an artifact of a new HMIS system, ClientTrack; which was implemented during this PIT Count. ClientTrack permitted a change in the calculation of the chronic homeless count. For example, previous chronic counts relied on staff calculating chronic homelessness which is subject to false data and may not be accurate. This year chronic homelessness was calculated using a component of ClientTrack for those who were enrolled, therefore reducing calculation errors.

METHODOLOGY

The 2017 PIT Count continued to use the census method of counting instead of sampling and extrapolation method used in the previous counts. A census count is an inventory of all people who are experiencing homelessness within the CoC’s catchment area, providing an all-inclusive count of individuals and characteristics without any assumptions or estimates. Repeating the 2016 PIT Count method, which was the first to use the census method, allowed for more accurate inferences regarding trends. All surveys were comprised of self-reported data from people experiencing homelessness.

To improve data-quality and effectiveness, an app was developed to permit the survey to be completed via tablets. This offered the added benefit of a geo-locator, which would log a latitudinal and longitudinal marker for each completed survey to create a better outline of locations used by the unsheltered homeless. This app was piloted during a handful of day shifts with success with the hope of rolling this out for universal use in future PIT Counts.

VOLUNTEERS

There were 235 volunteers who were solicited via email. This included soliciting volunteers on the CoC listserv. The City of Atlanta contributed by allowing city employees to earn comp time in exchange for their participation. The City of Atlanta employee volunteers were also solicited via email. Volunteers were given training regarding administering the survey from a qualified CoC staff member before collecting data. Overall, it is estimated that 2,000 hours were volunteered for the PIT Count.

ON A COLD NIGHT IN JANUARY,

HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND

STAFF GATHERED TO COMPLETE

THE POINT-IN-TIME COUNT (PIT

COUNT). THE PIT COUNT TAKES

AN ANNUAL UNDUPLICATED

CENSUS OF PEOPLE

EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS,

SHELTERED OR UNSHELTERED,

WITHIN A COMMUNITY, AND

OFFERS A UNIQUE INSIGHT

INTO THE CHARACTERISTICS

OF ATLANTA’S HOMELESS

POPULATION.

SUCH A MASSIVE EFFORT IS

FEDERALLY MANDATED BY THE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING

URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR

ALL COMMUNITIES RECEIVING

FEDERAL FUNDS VIA THE

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS

ASSISTANCE GRANTS PROGRAM.

A B O U T T H E P O I N T- I N -T I M E C O U N T

Sheltered Unsheltered Total Percentage Emergency Transitional

TOTAL NUMBER 1567 1324 681 3572

AGEUnder age 18 166 133 5 304 8.5%18-24 104 91 22 217 6.1%over age 24 1297 1100 654 3051 85%

GENDER Female 422 355 138 915 25.6%Male 1127 949 537 2613 73.2%Transgender 17 0 6 43 1.2%Other 1 0 0 1 .03%

ETHNICITY Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino 1525 1288 659 3472 97%Hispanic/Latino 42 36 22 100 2.8%

RACEWhite 137 177 57 371 10.3%African American 1365 1125 570 3060 85.7%Asian 6 4 3 13 .36%American Indian/Alaska Native 12 5 11 28 .78%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 5 0 1 6 .17%Multiple Races 42 13 39 94 2.6%

Table 1-Demographic information for adults and children

ADULTS AND CHILDREN

HOUSEHOLDS WITH AT LEAST ONE ADULT AND ONE CHILD

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0

50

100

150

200

Sheltered Under 18 18-24 Female MaleOver 24Unsheltered

Non Hispanic White African American All otherHispanic

0

100

200

300

400

500

EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

100

200

300

400

500

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0

50

100

150

200



0

100

200

300

400

500

EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

100

200

300

400

500

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0

50

100

150

200



0

100

200

300

400

500

EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

100

200

300

400

500

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0

50

100

150

200



0

100

200

300

400

500

EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

100

200

300

400

500

AGE GENDER

ETHNICITYRACE

SHELTERED

UNSHELTERED

EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

RES

ULT

S

88

70

163

Table 2-Demographic information with adults only

Sheltered Unsheltered Total Percentage Emergency Transitional

TOTAL NUMBER 1299 1112 667 3078

AGEPersons 18-24 of age 87 83 18 188 6.1%Persons over the age of 24 1212 1029 649 2890 93.9%

GENDER Female 240 211 130 581 18.9%Male 1041 881 531 2453 79.7%Transgender 17 0 6 43 1.4%Other 1 0 0 1 .03%

ETHNICITY Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino 1263 1085 645 2993 97.2%Hispanic/Latino 36 27 22 85 2.8%

RACE White 122 173 57 352 11.4%African American 1128 918 560 2606 84.7%Asian 4 4 3 11 .36%American Indian/Alaska Native 12 4 11 27 .88%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 5 0 1 6 .19%Multiple Races 28 13 35 76 2.5%

ADULTS ONLY

SHELTERED

UNSHELTERED

HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT CHILDREN (ADULTS ONLY)

0

50

100

150

200

Sheltered 18-24 Female OtherMale TransgenderOver 24Unsheltered


EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

0

50

100

150

200



EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

0

50

100

150

200



EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

0

50

100

150

200



EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

AGE GENDER

ETHNICITYRACE

EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

RES

ULT

S

1299

1112

667

0

50

100

150

200



EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

0

50

100

150

200



EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

0

50

100

150

200



EmergencyShelter

TransitionalShelter

Unsheltered

!

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

T H E T R E N D S : 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 7

Year Total Sheltered-ES Sheltered-TH Unsheltered

2013 5536 2564 1239 1733

2014 4797 1988 1434 1375

2015 4317 1688 1592 1037

2016 4063 1782 1443 838

2017 3572 1567 1324 681

When compared to previous years, the 2017 count revealed a 17% decrease in total homelessness from the 2015 PIT count and a 12% decrease from the 2016 count. Chronic Homelessness has decreased by 44% since 2015 and 35% since 2016. Unsheltered homelessness has decreased by 34% from 2015 and 19% from 2016. Veteran homelessness increased 4% from 2016 to 2017. Since 2011, overall homelessness has decreased by 40% and sheltered has decreased by 43%. Unsheltered homelessness has decreased by 57%.

CHANGE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS

17%Decrease in total

homelessnesssince 2015

34%Decrease in unsheltered


43%Decrease in sheltered


44%Decrease in chronic


40%Decrease in overall


57%Decrease in unsheltered


This year’s PIT Count revealed an increase in number of families who are homeless. While more focus was placed on training staff to better understand the qualifying parameters, this data could also suggest families experiencing homelessness are seeking local resources for long term solutions instead of relying on friends and family members to meet short term housing needs.

Sheltered youth counts decreased by 55% since 2016 while the number of unsheltered youths has remained the same. Overall, 2016 showed an increase in homeless youth numbers nationally. In response, the Atlanta CoC worked diligently to meet the needs of this population. Furthermore, staff were better trained on the qualifying criteria for this population to obtain higher quality data.

Number of Homeless Families from 2013-2017 Number of Homeless Youth from 2013-2017

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013 N/A*

2014

2015

2016

2017

0 50 100 150 200

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2013 N/A*

2014

2015

2016

2017

0 50 100 150 200

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

*Note: No data was available for 2013 due to youth information not being required for the PIT at that time.

Sheltered

Unsheltered

Sheltered

Unsheltered

SUB-POPULATION TRENDS

Veteran homelessness increased slightly from last year by 4%. Volunteers were better trained this year on the requirements for the survey characteristics. Another confounding variable is veterans are prioritized for housing; therefore, some individuals may falsely report veterans status.

There was a drastic decrease in chronic homelessness. During this year’s PIT Count, a new HMIS system was implemented in which chronic homelessness is calculated based on HUD requirements. Thus, the chronic homeless count is a more accurate representation of the subpopulation, and should be used as a benchmark for future counts.

Number of Veteran Homeless from 2013-2017 Number of Chronic Homeless from 2013-2017

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Sheltered

Unsheltered

Sheltered

Unsheltered

The successful 2017 PIT Count continued assessing and understanding the characteristics

and needs of those experiencing homelessness in the Atlanta area. Overall results suggest a continued downward trend, especially among the chronically homeless subpopulation. Given the detailed census method used in the current and previous years, comparisons and inferences can be made succinctly.

The 2017 PIT Count was a thorough and all-inclusive enterprise which could not have been completed without the immense support of volunteers. By continuing to use the census method and emphasis on training, the Atlanta CoC ensures data quality and reliability as well as guaranteeing that resources are appropriately utilized. Although the overall number of those experiencing homelessness continues to decline, the slight increase in veteran and family homelessness is a reminder there is still much work to be done. The 2017 PIT Count will help us navigate, inform, and measure the CoC’s progress, and hone needs and resources. Additionally, this data will help us elicit additional private and public resources to achieve our goal of making homeless rare, brief, and nonrecurring in Atlanta.

Thank you for your support, dedication, and time.

SHELTERED COUNT:

A thorough and complete census on the individuals who were enrolled in emergency shelters and transitional housing on the night of the PIT Count. The Shelter Count included survey administration for the agencies that do not participate in HMIS and data retrieval from HMIS that do participate.

UNSHELTERED COUNT:

The 2017 Pit Count distributed thirty teams to survey every expanse within the Atlanta CoC catchment. Volunteers were trained to administer surveys in areas known to be visited by the homeless population. This included parks, on the streets, under bridges, abandoned buildings, and other places not meant for habitation. To efficiently utilize teams, those in low volume areas were redeployed to high volume areas to ensure thorough coverage.

DAY COUNT:

HUD permits and recommends data be collected for sites individuals may access services for up to seven days following the night of the PIT Count. Thus, 10 locations known for high frequencies of unsheltered individuals were canvased from Tuesday through Sunday the week of the PIT Count. This ensured an all-inclusive and thorough count of the City was conducted as well as increasing the probability of surveying any individual who may been missed the night of was assessed.

DATA ENTRY: Once all surveys were collected and organized, the data was entered into a web-based survey software.

DE-DUPLICATION:

To prevent duplicate entries, data was cross-referenced with HMIS and Housing Inventory Count data for the sheltered count. For the unsheltered count, de-duplication occurred by comparing identification information. Further data preparation was conducted by discarding surveys of individuals who do not meet the HUD homeless definition.

M E T H O D O L O G Y

C O N C L U S I O N

818 Pollard BoulevardAtlanta, GA 30315

partnersforhome.org

2017 point-in-time count · 2018. 3. 1. · a 12% decrease from the 2016 count. chronic...

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