1. The Homeless Point in Time Count & Survey
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Conference 2013

2. Introductions & Who we Are
Pat Leary, MN Department of Human Services
Allan Henden, Hennepin County
Monica Nilsson, St. Stephen’s Human Services
Joseph Desenclos, St. Stephen’s Human Services
Mary Ulland Evans, Three Rivers Community Action Agency
Dina Chou, MN Department of Human Services

3. What are all these counts anyways?
What is the “Point in Time Count/Survey”?
1. Sheltered Count
2. Unsheltered Count
What is the difference between this and the Wilder Homeless Study?

4. History and Purpose
History of the Point in Time and OEO Sheltered Survey
Why we do these counts and surveys:
1. HUD Requirement
2. Evaluate/Plan Efforts to End Homelessness
3. Information for Policy Makers
4. Media Requests
5. Community Education

5. State-Wide Sheltered Count
2 Counts: January & July
All Motel Voucher, Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing Programs Should Participate (PSH not included)
OEO Administers Survey
s it out to over 300 Programs State-Wide
Works in Coordination with CoC Coordinators
Produces a State-Wide Summary Report

12. Unsheltered Counts Each CoC Region does their own Unsheltered Count
Methods vary depending on the CoC regional communities
Counts the number of people who are homeless but not in an emergency shelter, motel voucher or transitional housing program

13. Point in Time Count Results (Jan. 2013)
CoC Region
Total # of Sheltered Homeless People
Total # of Unsheltered Homeless People
Central
449
197
Hennepin
3,417
164
Northeast 68 21
Northwest
196 4
Ramsey
1,363 71
SMAC
713
110
Southeast
409 27
Southwest 22
St. Louis
317
West Central
263 36
Total
7,359
762

14. Population Break-Down (Jan. 2013)

15. Local Example: Hennepin County
Coordinate with State on Sheltered Count (as described earlier)
Follow up with Shelter & Transitional Housing providers for updated & missing info
Coordinate with St. Stephen’s Street Outreach on Unsheltered Count
Info for HUD, but also for the Heading Home Hennepin Initiative to help measure progress & gaps

16. Hennepin County Youth PIT Count
This year, USICH asked 9 jurisdictions to survey young people under age 25 who were homeless on that night.
Surveyed in shelters and transitional housing programs.
Surveyed youth at drop in centers and on the street.
Surveyed through Hennepin County high schools.
Surveyed through Juvenile and Adult Probation.

17. Demographics
459 youth surveyed
20% were under age 18
60% were African American
52% were female
34% reported a diagnosed disability
47% of those who weren’t surveyed by Probation reported court involvement
Life Experiences
68% left home before age 18.
64% met the definition of long-term homeless.
37% are pregnant or a parent.
35% have been in foster care.
12% have traded sex for money, food, housing.
40% have been in an abusive relationship.

18. Why they left… Family conflict – 24% Kicked out – 20%
Left on own – 14%
Family poverty – 6%
Parents unavailable – 6%
Abuse/neglect – 5%
Addiction – 3%
Youth locked up/tx – 3%

19. Education
134 were surveyed in the schools (100 of these respondents were doubled up).
237 (53%) of all respondents were currently enrolled in school.
82 respondents did NOT have a diploma/GED and were NOT enrolled in school.
Only 2% of respondents had less than a high school diploma, were not enrolled, and were not trying to get back in school.
Employment
26% report they have a job – ¾ are part time, ¼ full time.
Only 5% of respondents have a full-time, non-temporary job.
Those in transitional housing are much more likely to have a job – 52%.
Public Assistance
61% report they get public assistance. Receipt of PA highest in shelter and transitional housing (84% or more)
17% have no job, PA, or other source of income.
Half of those without PA or a job were surveyed in schools.

20. Next Count….Coming Up…. January 22, 2014
Not to be confused with the Wilder Survey (October 2015)
What can I do?
1. Make sure your CoC & the OEO have your program’s current contact information
2. Fill out the sheltered survey
3. Coordinate with your local CoC on the unsheltered count

21. Thank-You & For More Information:
Dina Chou, Pat Leary, Monica Nilsson, Joseph Desenclos, Allan Henden, Mary Ulland Evans,