Agenda. Chronic Homelessness. Welcome & Introductions. Sample Survey Map. Latest PIT Data & Explanation. Homeless Yes or No

Transcription

1 Volunteer Training

2 Agenda Welcome & Introductions Latest PIT Data & Explanation Coordinated Access Definition Where, When, & How? Teams Job Descriptions Chronic Homelessness Sample Survey Map Homeless Yes or No Do s/don ts How to Engage Questions/Helpful Info Survey Form Instructions

3 Homeless in Houston (2018 PIT) On January 22, 2018, there were 4,143 people experiencing homelessness in Houston/Harris, Fort Bend, & Montgomery Counties 1,614 (39%) staying in a place not meant for human habitation 2,529 (61%) staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or safe haven 2018 PIT count represents: 12% increase compared to % decrease since % unsheltered reported homelessness due to Hurricane Harvey

4 Homeless in Houston (2018 PIT) ~1 in 4 identified as experiencing chronic homelessness No unsheltered & 9 sheltered families experiencing chronic homelessness identified ~1 in 2 had mental health & substance abuse problems ~1 in 7 was a Veteran Veteran numbers at steady state level 2/3 are in shelters

5 Chronic Homelessness PIT Unsheltered Sheltered

6 Why do we count? Report an accurate number of persons experiencing homelessness in the Houston, Harris, Fort Bend, & Montgomery Counties These numbers are reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in order to: Determine progress/success (are the numbers decreasing?) Determine the amount of federal, state, & local funding that will come into our community Determine sub-populations among those experiencing homelessness (i.e. youth, veterans, domestic violence, etc.) Identify areas with a dense presence of those experiencing homelessness (encampments, etc.) Improve services & housing Determine what additional services are needed

7 Coordinated Access What is it? A Coordinated Access methodology is used during the PIT. Coordinated Access is mandated by HUD. HUD Definition (CoC Interim Rule, Section 578.3) A centralized or coordinated process designed to Coordinate program participant intake, Coordinated assessment, and Coordinate the provision of referrals. A centralized or coordinated assessment system Covers the geographic area, Is easily accessed by the individual/family seeking housing or services, Is well advertised, and Includes a comprehensive and standardized assessment tool.

8 Coordinated Access Houston - Today Access Points 13 Hubs Shelters, dropin centers, ministries Outreach Teams dedicated to CA Call-in option Assessments Match to PSH, RRH, Income, SOAR Consent is electronic Vulnerability tools prioritize populations 20+ Navigators HMIS All matching Bed availability PSH, RRH, Income, & SOAR Waitlist prioritization Referral outcomes CA part of NOFA Scoring

9 Where, when, & how do we count? Where: All of Houston, Harris, Fort Bend, & Montgomery Counties Day 1 Inside the 610 Loop Day 2 East of I-45 & 288, East Montgomery County Day 3 West of I-45 & 288, West Mont. Count, all Ft. Bend County When: Every year in January 2019 January 22 nd, 23 rd, & 24 th How: Team Assignment Receive assigned map area Drive Walk areas with likelihood of finding those experiencing homelessness Interview individuals experiencing homelessness

10 Teams Count Teams: Each team will have a Driver, Navigator, Surveyor, & Spotter/Surveyor. Some teams will have multiple surveyors. There will be NO teams with less than three people; the preference is for at least four. Each team should have someone who has a cell phone and is willing to use it for the purposes of the Count. Text messages can be sent to check-in center if needed. A detailed map & street guides will be provided to each team.

11 Job Descriptions/Roles Driver: The driver s only job during the PIT is to drive their team safely around the map area assigned. The driver will also park and walk the assigned area with the other team members. Navigator: The navigator will use map(s) to help the driver navigate around the assigned search areas. The navigator will keep track of those areas on the map which have been searched. The navigator can also assist in finding persons experiencing homelessness.

12 Job Descriptions/Roles Surveyor: The surveyor will complete the survey form provided in its entirety. The surveyor will use technology in the field to do this via a mobile app which must be downloaded to a work or personal device Surveyor/Spotter: The spotter will look for persons experiencing homelessness. On some teams the spotter will also act as a surveyor. Coordinated Access Assessor: Some teams will have a Coordinated Access trained Assessor. The Assessor will conduct housing assessments with Veterans and youth/ young adults experiencing homelessness as well as those experiencing chronic homelessness.

13 What you need to begin A charged phone or device that you will use for the Count Download the Counting Us app from either Google Play or the App Store Register an account and log in Enter in the Project Key for our region Houston19 Tap Get Started! to get to the screen which displays the list of surveys and select Houston PIT 2019 Select HUD PIT Interview for anyone willing to be interviewed Select HUD PIT Observation for anyone not willing to be interviewed or if the location is too hard to get to Enable location services on your device!

14 2019 Counting Us

15 2019 Counting Us

16 Interviews vs. Observations 2018 Unsheltered Count Strive for 100% interviews Interviews provide more information about characteristics of those experiencing homelessness Observations should be for dangerous situations, unable to reach, & refused only Interviews Observations Purpose of technology is to collect better information

17 Homelessness - Definitions

18 Sample survey map

19 How do I know if they re experiencing homelessness? ABCs Appearance: Wearing many layers of clothing/blankets In poor physical condition, hygiene Weathered skin Lots of personal belongings Behavior: Sleeping or lying down on the ground, benches, parks, railways, bridges, underpasses, etc. Pushing a cart or carrying many belongings Condition: Tents or tarps Blankets hanging from trees/bushes Blankets on windows of cars or vans Cars packed with belongings Fogged up windows in vehicles

20 Do Report to your Staging Area ON TIME Stay with your team! Keep all doors locked when driving & stopped Watch for signs of those experiencing homelessness: Bedding/pallets Grocery carts under bridges or near wooded areas Ask those you encounter are there any people experiencing homelessness living around this area? Ask inside gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants do you know of any people experiencing homelessness living around this area? Plan & study your mapping area Report ACCURATELY Use your best judgment Manage your time Check in with Staging Area on an hourly basis Call 911 if there is an emergency or danger

21 Don t Allow one team member to leave the vehicle alone Take risks Venture too far from the vehicle/safety Venture outside of your map boundaries Give money or rides Overestimate how many people may be in an encampment Offer services or housing Forget to turn in all paperwork Double count Touch people to wake them up ASSUME!! If a person tells you they do not have a disability, do not record it, even if their appearance/symptoms may indicate otherwise.

22 How to engage Be courteous and respectful of an individual s right to privacy. Position yourself at the person s eye level (sit or stand) as this will encourage equal communication. Be mindful that you are not encroaching on their space. Do not shine flashlight at the person but shine it towards yourself to identify yourself. Use the following script: Hi, my name is and I am a volunteer with the Coalition for the Homeless. We are in the area counting people who are experiencing street homelessness and I was wondering if you knew of anyone that we could talk to? (If the person answers me or you re looking at one, then proceed as if you are having a conversation). Would you mind if I ask you a few questions about your situation? If yes then begin the survey asking questions such as Can you tell me your name? Where did you stay Monday night?. Has a doctor ever told you that you have a mental health or other medical concerns? If no then thank them for their time & complete the observational survey instead

23 Teams in Action

24 Teams in Action Safety First Assertive Respectful Sensitive Persistent

25 FAQs What happens if I don t have cell reception when conducting a survey? Save the survey as a draft and submit once cell service resumes How much data can I expect the app to use? Thirty (30) surveys uses less data than streaming a single 4 minute song How much space will the app use on my personal device? The app is less than 6 mb (300 s is ~ 100 mb). My friend is going to Staging Area 1 but I registered at Staging Area 2. Can I go to my friend s Staging Area? Unfortunately this cannot be accommodated. Volunteers are assigned to staging locations based on the need of that area. Reporting to an area where you did not register will cause your area to be short-staffed. My team finished our map area, can we count in another? No. This may cause individuals to be counted more than once. Please return to your Staging Area to receive instructions from your captain.

26 Helpful Info Street Guides can be given to people experiencing homelessness. Call 911 for any immediate emergency Call, text, or your captain/co-captain for support or if you have an emergency that prevents you from showing up for the count Project Manager: Ana Rausch, (832) office or cell (832) HPD Homeless Outreach team # for non-emergency assistance: (281) Harris County Sheriff s Office non-emergency assistance: (713) Fort Bend Sheriff s Office non emergency assistance: (281) Montgomery County Sheriff s Office, non-emergency assistance: (936)

27 Wrapping Up Questions Create teams Practice survey Turn in missing documents Provide contact information

28 The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County leads in the development, advocacy, and coordination of community strategies to prevent and end homelessness. The Way Home is the collaborative model to prevent and end homelessness in Houston, Pasadena, Conroe; and Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery Counties. Ana Rausch