Improving Homeless Point-In-Time Counts: Uncovering the Marginally Housed

Abstract

This article discusses improvements made to the methodology of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) point-in-time (PIT) homeless census. HUD’s PIT results are presented to Congress as official data for policy consideration. Yet, PIT methodology focuses on visible street homeless individuals and those in shelters while neglecting the “marginally housed” or less visible homeless who live in automobiles or temporarily stay with friends and extended family. Being a hidden population, the marginally housed has been a traditionally difficult population to study. We replicated HUD’s PIT count but additionally targeted the marginally housed to improve traditional methods of counting the homeless. We improve the PIT count in two ways: (1) by extensively training counters, and (2) by using the personal networks of hundreds of counters to seek out the marginally housed. Student researchers from a local university located 333 more homeless individuals than the local PIT, of which 153 were marginally housed. We do not claim this to be an exhaustive count of all the marginally housed in the region, but it is an initial step in developing methodologies to include this hidden population when calculating the total homeless population. This approach can also improve traditional homeless counts in other cities.

A COVID-19 Micro-epidemic in the Shelter for the Homeless in Olsztyn

“…This phenomenon is used, among others, to estimate the number of homeless people using the point-in-time method. 22 The winter of 2021, colder than in previous years, should intensify this phenomenon. Meanwhile we have observed a completely opposite relationship.…”

Hispanic health disparities and housing: Comparing measured and self-reported health metrics among housed and homeless Latin individuals

“…Studies in Los Angeles confirmed that Hispanics were more likely to utilize non-traditional housing arrangements, such as staying with extended friends and family or in abandoned buildings ( Conroy and Heer, 2003 ), and thus are largely undercounted ( Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, 1995 ). Research finds the same large undercounting in El Paso ( Smith and Castaneda, 2019 , 2020 ). Factors including language, citizenship status, social network characteristics, unstable labor arrangements, among others, might affect Hispanics’ choice to utilize non-traditional housing arrangements ( Conroy and Heer, 2003 ; Tan and Ryan, 2001 ).…”

“…Data for this study comes from ethno-surveys—which collect close-ended quantifiable data and open-ended answers ( Massey, 1987 )—conducted in El Paso, Texas, USA, in 2011 and 2012. They were conducted face-to-face by the first author, and research teams trained for months as part of a class on research methods ( Smith and Castaneda, 2019 ; Loza et al., 2017 ). The ethno-surveys were conducted in English or Spanish, depending on the preference of the respondent.…”

“…They are included in the definition of homelessness by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2008 ( Homeless Assistance Reauthorization, 2009 ). Researchers have observed and confirmed that homelessness sampling methodologies, especially Point-in-Time (PIT) censuses conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are under-representative of the homeless population, especially those that may be marginally-housed ( Hopper, 1992 ; Quigley et al., 2001 ; Smith and Castaneda, 2019 ; Hudson, 1993 ). These PIT counts use incomplete counts from shelters and street “hot-spots” and do not account for many types of housing marginality.…”

How many Australian veterans are homeless? Reporting prevalence findings and method from a national study

“…This comprises a count on a single night of the people in a community who are experiencing homelessness including both sheltered and visible unsheltered populations (such as rough sleepers). This methodology is common; however, it has been criticised for its focus on visible street homelessness and those living in shelters, while the “marginally housed” such as those staying temporarily with friends or family, and those who experience homelessness intermittently are excluded (Smith & Castaneda‐Tinoco 2018).…”