What does Sisters think of the homeless count?
Quick response:
We believe that the city’s homeless count numbers are too low. The count used different definitions of homelessness in different years and the count does not include everyone who is homeless, including people who couch surf and are living doubled up.
A little more info:
Sisters believes that the city of Portland’s homeless count is too low. It does not appear to take into account other organizations numbers of homeless in the city. In reaching their number of 1,438 people homeless and 3018 people in shelters, they for instance do not appear to have looked at the Portland Public School Districts number of 1,513 total students (up from 1,411 last year) in their school district experiencing homelessness. In the BHCD’s own documents they note that the definition of homelessness used changed between 2005 and 2007.
We believe that the methods used were inconsistent. For example, the method used for counting errs to far on the side of not duplicating individuals, to the point where if they did not directly speak to someone they were probably not going to be counted, as they were potentially a duplicate or not homeless.
Other faults seen include an inability to count people “couch surfing” and doubling up, which traditionally is hard as often the people doing so do not even consider themselves homeless. This includes many families who are usually more likely to “couch surf” with their children.
Due to HIPPA requirements and definitions of homelessness, most people living without housing in hospitals or emergency rooms were not counted. The counts are in January which being in the winter are nights that the numbers in both places would be higher than average.
Traditionally and logically due to the city’s anti-camping law and sidewalk obstruction ordinance, many homeless people do not wish to sleep in a place where they can be counted.
People in jails or detention facilities such as Hooper detox were not counted.
Lastly, for the shelter count, neither the 2005 nor the 2007 night were considered “severe weather” which effects the total number to be counted in shelters.
Additional Facts:
Sisters daily meals between 2005 and 2007 have gone up. Multnomah County has 2838 homeless children in public schools. PPSD alone has 1,513 homeless students
Resources:
- The BHCD’s “Home Again” report on the 2007 street count (BHCD website)
- Multnomah County’s Department of County Services Schools and Community Partnerships “Sheltered Households, one night shelter count” (county website)
- The State of Oregon’s department of education website for information about homelessness amongst students.
HUD’s Definition of Homeless
A person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below:
- In places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street).
- In an emergency shelter.
- In transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.
- In any of the above places but is spending a short time (up to 30 consecutive days) in a hospital or other institution.
- Is being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit and no subsequent residence has been identified and lacks resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
- Is being discharged within a week from an institution, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility or a jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
- For example, a person being discharged from prison after more than 30 days is eligible ONLY IF no subsequent residence has been identified and the person does not have money, family or friends to provide housing.
- Is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation and no subsequent residence has been identified and lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
The following do NOT meet the HUD definition of Homeless:
- Persons living in housing, even though they are paying an excessive amount for their housing, the housing is substandard and in need of repair, or the housing is crowded.
- Persons living with relatives or friends.
- Persons staying in a motel, including a pay-by-the-week motels
