Prepared by the Southeastern Social Science Research Center, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2012. Permission is granted to copy and distribute this document without fee, provided that the text is not modified in any way, and the document is applied for educational, non-commercial use only. A SINGLE NIGHT COUNTS: HOMELESSNESS IN LOUISIANA A Report on the 2012 Point-in-Time Homeless Census and Housing Inventory
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Prepared by the Southeastern Social Science Research Center, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2012. Permission is granted to copy and distribute this document without fee, provided that the text is not modified in any way, and the document is applied for educational, non-commercial use only.
A SINGLE NIGHT COUNTS: HOMELESSNESS IN LOUISIANA
A Report on the 2012 Point-in-Time
Homeless Census and Housing Inventory
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 2
The Board of the Louisiana Services Network Data Consortium (LSNDC) is comprised of representation from the CoC and
HMIS agency from each region of the State of Louisiana. It was this group that was responsible for coordinating and
executing the Homeless Census within their membership parishes. The leaders of these efforts for completing the 2012
Census were:
Region I and X: Vicki Judice, Unity of Greater New Orleans and Clifton Harris, VIA LINK
Region II: Randy Nichols and Corey Dyer, Capital Area Alliance For the Homeless
Region III: Kelly Aitkens, Gulf Coast Social Services and Brooke Guidry, START Corporation
Region IV: Eric Gammons and Andrew Zegura, Lafayette Catholic Service Centers
Region V: Randall Hebert, Volunteer Center Southwest Louisiana
Region VI: Kendra Gauthier, Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition
Region VII: Christa Pazzaglia, HOPE for the Homeless and Lane Richardson, Centerpoint Community Services
Region VIII: Lawana Brown and Kattina Brittan, The Wellspring
Region IX: Dee Wild, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans and Erin Matheny, Southeastern Louisiana University
The Report was prepared by staff members of the Southeastern Social Science Research Center (SSSRC):
Ms. Erin Matheny, Northlake HMIS Data Project Director
Dr. Bonnie Lewis, Director
Ms. Erica Dickerson and Ms. Tracy Rathbun, Graduate Research Assistants
Dr. Molly McGraw, GIS Research Associate
Acknowledgements
Conducting the annual statewide point-in-time Homeless Census, and its supplementary Homeless Demographic and
Needs Survey and the Housing Inventory for the Homeless has always been a major undertaking, and 2012 was no
different. It involves homeless service providers, homeless coalition (Continuum of Care) leaders, and support staff who
coordinate and execute a plan for administering the Census throughout the state during the same twenty-four hour
period at the end of January. Some regions were able to make remarkable strides in increasing coverage of survey
areas. The success of the project is due, in large part, to the hundreds of tireless service providers and compassionate
volunteers who joined forces to help us better understand the face of homelessness in Louisiana. It is with our deepest
gratitude that we acknowledge their time, talent, and resources.
Since the last statewide report on homelessness was released in 2007, there has been a significant growth in data
collection. The CoCs across the state have merged their systems of data management into a single HMIS database that
allows for each region to have more direct access and control over how information is captured and recorded. This has
directly made completing a Point-in-Time Count of sheltered and unsheltered persons easier. Nevertheless, it goes
without saying that this growth has been laden with its own series of hiccups. We are grateful to the Board of the
Louisiana Services Network Data Consortium (LSNDC) for remaining dedicated to its work for the greater good.
Lastly, we would like to thank all of the respondents who provided the information upon which the report is developed. Without their willingness to have their stories represented, we would not be able to examine where we are, nor speculate where it is we need to go, as a State. Reducing their struggles and improving their quality of life experiences are the best gauges of the efficacy of our service-delivery system that aims to prevent and end homelessness within our communities.
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 3
Table of Contents
Pages Acknowledgements………………………………………..2
Table of Contents…………………………………….........3
Executive Summary……………………………………..4-6
Introduction and Overview………………………………..6
Purpose……………………………………………………7
What Point-in-Time Homeless Data is Not……….......7
Methodology………………………………………….7-10 Planning…………………………………….…7-8 Survey Instrument and Collection of Data…...8-10
Definition of Homeless Populations…………………..10-11
State and Regional Homeless Census………..………11-21 Point-in-Time Survey Findings……………...11-19
Housing Inventory………………………......20-21
State and Federal Demographics…………………...22-25
Appendix A: Questionnaire……………………………26
Appendix B: Glossary of Terms…………………....27-29
Appendix C: Housing Inventory by CoC Region…...30-45
Appendix D: Demographics by State, CoC Region, and Parish ……………………...46-64
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 4
48.8% 51.2%
Figure 1: 2012 Literally Homeless Persons Count
N =7,771
Sheltered
Unsheltered
36.6%
63.4%
Figure 2: 2011 Literally Homeless Persons Count
N = 9,921
Sheltered
Unsheltered
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana Executive Summary
The Louisiana Homeless Census, also known as the “Point-in-Time”, is a statewide effort to conduct an unduplicated count of the homeless population and obtain information directly from homeless services consumers to better assess their service and housing needs. Data derived from the Homeless Census is a critical “snapshot” of homelessness and the services that are in place to respond. Obtaining this information is imperative to better understand how homelessness is changing, to measure the efficacy of these service networks, and to inform the public at large. Building upon the understanding and experiences of the local Continua of Care, findings from the 2012 Homeless Census will be used to shape decisions made by local, state, and federal partners as we progress towards the goal of preventing and ending homelessness. It is the responsibility of organizations who receive funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide an enumeration of homelessness within their respective communities for a single night, generally within the last ten days of January. In the State of Louisiana, the extensive network of homeless assistance and prevention service providers, referred to as Continua of Care (CoCs), coordinate a count that spans from Bossier Parish to the tip of Jefferson, and everything in between. These ten CoCs account for 62 of the 64 parishes in the State. A Census has been conducted intermittently throughout the ten regions since 1998, with a minimal compliance requirement of every two years, as mandated by HUD. Additionally, there has been quite a variation over the past several years in the defined parameters of who is identified as literally homeless1 and should be included in the Count. For these reasons, this report focuses exclusively on the number of persons identified as literally homeless during the 2012 Point-in-Time date, with a brief comparison to data captured in 2011.
1 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a person as literally homeless only when he/she resides in:
A place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, barns,
An Emergency Shelter, or
A Transitional Housing program for persons who were unsheltered or residing in an Emergency Shelter prior to entering the program.
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 5
On January 23rd, 2012, 7,771 men, women, and children were identified in Louisiana as experiencing literal homelessness. This represents an overall significant reduction of 21.7 percent from 2011, when there were 9,291homeless persons counted. In general, the greatest reductions were seen for those persons who were residing in places not suitable for human habitation, otherwise known as unsheltered. Those who were sheltered, or residing in Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing for homeless persons, and Safe Havens, comprised 48.8 percent of the total in 2012, accounting for 3,796 people. This was an 11percent increase from the 2011 Sheltered Count, which
identified 3,405 sheltered individuals.
To gain better understanding of who is without permanent, stable housing, communities have to examine their local data, as no network of services and service delivery is precisely like another. For instance, the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson (Regions I & X), which have historically represented more than 60 percent of the total number of literally homeless persons in the State, realized a reduction of 1,784 persons (26.7%), while the City of Baton Rouge and its surrounding parishes (Region II) experienced an increase of 47.9 percent from the previous year’s count, or 240 men, women, and children. In many of the largely rural CoCs there were decreases in the number of persons counted, from 1.8 percent on the Northshore (Region IX) to 10.2 percent in the parishes around the City of Lafayette. Concurrently, Region V, which is the southwest corner of the state, including Calcasieu Parish and its neighbors, saw an increase of 32 literally homeless persons, or 71.1
percent increase.
The other value of the Homeless Census is realized through an assessment of the homeless services and housing across the State. All of the CoCs calculated their bed capacities during the same period, allowing them to identify the number of Emergency Shelter beds, Transitional Housing, Safe Havens, and Permanent Supportive Housing that were in place on the night January 23rd. They could then examine how many were being utilized and how many were vacant. These utilization rates, contained later in this report, provide communities with a snapshot of their systems of service delivery,
in concert with a view of who is accessing assistance and who is remaining “on the street”.
The 2012 Homeless Census focuses on a single point in the year, wherein a select number of persons who are experiencing housing crises in Louisiana are profiled. Unfortunately, this is only a chapter in the story. There are thousands more men, women, and children who are vulnerable, some for the first time, some for a seeming endless number of years. The intent of the report is to provide the Continua of Care, and the State as a whole, bases for examining where people remain underserved and
6,687
501 32 577 45 208 804 257 281
4,903
741 7 518 77 188 733 227 276
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
Po
pu
lati
on
FIGURE 3: Comparison of Literally Homeless Persons Counts (2011-2012)
where strides are being made in ending homelessness. With data-driven policies, communities can
choose to invest in change that does end homelessness for all.
Introduction and Overview
The intent of this report is to help drive future decision-making that brings about safe, sustainable housing for all persons. Because of the breadth of factors that contribute to homelessness, it must be examined from several different perspectives. This report contains the findings of the 2012 multifaceted, state-wide effort to document homelessness in Louisiana.
1. Homeless Census: During the last ten days of January, a census is conducted of people who are homeless, on a selected night of that time period. For Louisiana, this date in 2012 was January 23rd. This provides an overall count of the number of people who are homeless. People counted are first categorized by whether they are with or without children. Information is also recorded as to where the homeless are residing, within one of three categories: (1) whether they are unsheltered, living in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or barns; (2) whether they are in Emergency Shelters; or (3) whether they are living in Transitional Housing programs and were previously unsheltered, or in Emergency Shelters. At the same time the Census is conducted, when possible, people are interviewed. This survey asks about housing, health, and service needs of the person and those in his/her household.
2. Housing Inventory for the Homeless: At the same time, an inventory is conducted of housing options available for addressing homelessness.
3. Demographic Profiles from the U.S. Census: In this year’s report, information has been added from the U.S. Census to provide supplemental demographic data for planning.
The information provided in this report is aggregated to the state level, but where possible, the information is also described by Continua of Care (CoCs), the collaborative networks of homeless service organizations throughout the State of Louisiana.
Continua of Care Regions in Louisiana
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 7
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide carefully targeted and collected information for improving
services for the persons experiencing homelessness. One must be able to answer questions about who
is most likely to be homeless, where they reside, and what their needs are. Only with the availability
of high-quality data it is possible for nonprofit, volunteer, for-profit, religious and governmental
agencies to advance their work for the homeless men, women, and children in Louisiana. Such data
can be used to:
Strengthen coordination among service providers and government agencies;
Intensify public awareness of homeless issues and generate public support for moving toward solutions;
Offer the ability to prioritize funding for homelessness by planning bodies, such as foundations, corporations, municipalities, and other community stakeholders;
Examine changes in the numbers and characteristics of our homeless populations in future counts to ascertain our effectiveness; and
Track progress locally in response to newer Federal reporting requirements on trends in homelessness.
What Point-in-Time Homeless Data is Not
While data obtained from a Point-in-Time Survey is valuable, it should be noted that when using this
information, one must recognize the measurement issues involved in collecting data on homeless
persons. First, there are limits in its population coverage. For instance, people who are unsheltered,
especially in largely rural areas, are difficult to locate. Secondly, not all identified persons are
willing to release information. Third, there is often a reliance on counting individuals through their
request for services during the survey period. Therefore, persons might not be identified as homeless
because they did not seek services at that time. Fourth, persons who are at imminent risk for
becoming homeless, such as those who are being evicted from rental housing or temporarily living
with family or friends and have no other means for acquiring housing, are not treated as literally
homeless, and, therefore, not documented in this report. Lastly, while in recent years definitions used
are becoming more standardized, there remain some differences in the definitions of homeless
services, wherein the standardization of service-type labels is inconsistent and the inclusion/exclusion
of eligible persons in the census is not always precise. A conservative estimate is that, on any given
day, there may be as many as twice the reported count of homeless adults and children living in
Louisiana. As efforts to refine future counts develop, our certainty of accurate data collection will
likely improve. It remains possible to use this data for planning purposes by looking for general
patterns and realizing the directions of possible biases.
Methodology
Planning A committee comprised of CoC representatives and Homeless Management Information System
(HMIS) administrators was formed in late 2011 to initiate planning for the statewide 2012 Homeless
Census. The night of Monday, January 23rd, was selected as the Point-in-Time, wherein Continua of
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 8
Care throughout Louisiana would systematically identify and count the number of men, women, and
children experiencing literal homelessness. The committee determined the survey questions,
demographic data, and agency service usage data needed to satisfy the various requests for
information used by local and national agencies. As in previous years, the Census would be
coordinated locally by each CoC, including the identification and recruitment of participating
agencies/organizations and volunteers for street counts, training and accompanying materials,
distribution and collection of the questionnaires, and data entry. Also similar to the process for the
2010 Count, the Committee designed a survey instrument [Appendix A] that incorporated all desired
data elements, and then developed an assessment format within the LSNDC database system that
would allow for electronic data entry and management of the survey responses. The value in this was
two-fold as it allowed for each CoC to be able to directly access their data, as well as minimize the
number of persons who needed to be surveyed. In many cases, consumers who needed to be included
in the Count, as they were homeless on the night of the Point-in-time Count, were already in the
database.
Survey Instrument and Collection of Data There were several driving forces behind much of the data collection design. The primary questions were derived from the HUD directive to identify and enumerate the number of persons who are residing in Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing for homeless persons, Safe Havens, and those who are unsheltered during the selected night of the Count. Specifically, HUD requests that the Counts provide for those living in Households without Children, Households with at least one Child, and Child Only Households. For these purposes, a child is anyone seventeen years of age or younger. Secondary to the total enumerations, the Point-in-Time Count must be able to account for a series of sub-population data, including the number of Veterans, persons fleeing domestic violence, unaccompanied youth, and persons with any of selected disabling conditions. In addition, the Committee elected to incorporate questions that allowed for CoCs to assess vulnerability amongst the respondents who were residing in unsheltered conditions or Emergency Shelters. The Vulnerability Index (VI)2 is a means for assessing the fragility of health for persons who are living on the street or in Emergency Shelters, based on national research that examines morbidity amongst the most at risk homeless persons. Many of the CoCs in Louisiana have already integrated VI scoring into their process for prioritization of permanent housing, where available. The VI questions relating to specific health factors and the length of time unsheltered were necessary components of the survey. The survey was also designed to
2 The Vulnerability Index is an instrumental component of the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to identify by name homeless persons in communities who are most susceptible to death should they remain without permanent housing [http://100khomes.org/]
“Literally Homeless”: Sheltered and Unsheltered
Sheltered persons/families are considered homeless only when they reside:
In Emergency Shelters, including motels or apartments with vouchers paid for by a public or private agency;
In transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or an Emergency Shelter;
In Safe Havens
Unsheltered persons are considered homeless only when they reside:
In places not meant for human habitation, such as parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or cars.
An HMIS is an electronic data collection system that stores longitudinal person-level information about persons who access the homeless services system in a Continuum of Care (CoC). HMIS is a
valuable resource because of its capacity to integrate and unduplicate data from all homeless assistance and homelessness
prevention programs in a CoC. Aggregate HMIS data can be used to understand the size, characteristics, and needs of the homeless
population at the local, state, and national levels.
~U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Data Standards, Revised Notice, March
2010.
capture information from unaccompanied homeless individuals (adult or youth), or from multiple persons within the same household, where necessary, while controlling for duplicate respondents.
The predominant method of conducting the Census was through the recruitment and participation of human service organizations. It is important to note that depending on regional physical composition, the availability of resources, the abundance of human service providers, and the like, there was a large variance in data collection among the CoCs. The metropolitan areas, notably New Orleans and Baton Rouge, were able to delineate blocks where the unsheltered homeless are known to congregate, wherein volunteer enumerators can conduct interviews with concentrations of people. There is also a more extensive network of homeless services in urban areas, such as shelters and food services, improving the efficiency of data collection in the short period of time. Additionally, Regions I & X use statistically significant sampling of persons residing in abandoned buildings to derive their unsheltered count3. The more rural regions of the state often have a greater burden identifying homeless persons beyond those who are already being served by their providers on the chosen day. A widespread canvassing of their districts is not feasible, but they are able to employ other methods for completing surveys on their unsheltered homeless, such as visiting “tramp camps” around interstates. Ultimately, this does not comprehensively reveal the true hidden homeless in any region. A sample of participating service providers included: governmental social service agencies, community action agencies, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, legal aid offices, churches, nonprofit organizations that were identified as providing services to the poor, and sheriffs departments.
The survey questionnaires were completed in one of two ways: (1) agency representatives and/or volunteers conducted an interview with a known client or a person who may be homeless, or (2) in cases that an agency representative had previous knowledge of a homeless consumer and could provide the requested information, he/she completed the survey on the client’s behalf. Responses from the completed surveys were entered into the statewide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) that is administered by the Louisiana Services Network Data Consortium (LSNDC). HMIS databases are utilized by CoCs
across the United States for standardizing how data on homeless persons are captured and recorded. They are mandated through Congressional directives for programs receiving funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In Louisiana, all ten Continua, comprised of their partnering organizations, utilize the LSNDC system to manage their consumer data. In this capacity, many of the persons included in the Count were literally homeless, receiving services through one of these organizations, and, thusly, already recorded in the LSNDC system. Harnessing the HMIS for the Census minimized the need to enter duplicate demographic information by the communities. In many other cases, persons were not already accessing services, and so the interview
3 Unity of Greater New Orleans, Homelessness in Greater New Orleans: A Report on Progress toward Ending Homelessness, http://unitygno.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UNITY-2012-Point-In-Time-Homeless-Count-Report.pdf, 2012 May 24.
was a first point of contact for homeless persons who would have remained unknown otherwise by the CoC. Should these persons access homeless services networks in the future, there is now longitudinal information reflecting their homelessness.
Figure 4 provides an alphabetical list of the parishes and their respective CoCs.. The State of Louisiana is divided into ten Continua of Care, with each CoC encompassing one of more parishes. Each of the Continua of Care encompasses one or more parishes. Region VIII, in the northeast corner of Louisiana is the largest, with a CoC comprised of twelve parishes, while Regions I and X only contain one parish each. Plaquemines and St. Bernard part of any of the Continua. Appendix D provides demographic detail about the composition of the Continua and the parishes of which they are comprised.
Definition of Homeless Populations The term “sheltered” refers to persons who are living in Emergency Shelters, including motel vouchers
paid through human service organizations, or Transitional Housing for persons who came from the
streets or Emergency Shelters. Persons residing in Safe Havens on the night of the Census are also
treated as sheltered. Unsheltered persons are those who were sleeping outside or in some place not
appropriate for human habitation on the night of the Count. Individuals and families who are sharing
housing due to economic hardship, often referred to as “doubled-up” or “couch surfing”, are not
included in the count of literally homeless persons. Persons facing evictions or repossession of their
homes are also not considered literally homeless. Persons who were residing in Permanent Supportive
Housing were also purposefully omitted from the Count of sheltered and unsheltered persons, but
they were incorporated in the overall process to facilitate an accurate inventory of housing for
homeless and formally homeless persons.
FIGURE 4: Regional Continuum of Care Composition by Parish Parish Region (CoC) Parish Region (CoC) Parish Region (CoC)
ACADIA IV GRANT VI ST. BERNARD not in CoC ALLEN V IBERIA IV ST. CHARLES III
ASCENSION II JACKSON VIII ST. HELENA IX ASSUMPTION III JEFF. DAVIS V ST. JAMES III
AVOYELLES VI JEFFERSON X ST. JOHN III BEAUREGARD V LA SALLE VI ST. LANDRY IV
BIENVILLE VII LAFAYETTE IV ST. MARTIN IV BOSSIER VII LAFOURCHE III ST. MARY IV CADDO VII LINCOLN VIII ST. TAMMANY IX
CALCASIEU V LIVINGSTON IX TANGIPAHOA IX CALDWELL VIII MADISON VIII TENSAS VIII CAMERON V MOREHOUSE VIII TERREBONNE III
CATAHOULA VI NATCHITOCHES VII UNION VIII CLAIBORNE VII ORLEANS I VERMILLION IV
CONCORDIA VI OUACHITA VIII VERNON VI
DE SOTO VII PLAQUEMINES not in CoC W. BATON ROUGE II
E BATON ROUGE II POINTE COUPEE II W. CARROLL VIII E. FELICIANA II RAPIDES VI W. FELICIANA II
EAST CARROLL VIII RED RIVER VII WASHINGTON IX EVANGELINE IV RICHLAND VIII WEBSTER VII
FRANKLIN VIII SABINE VII WINN VI
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 11
601
131 1 194 58 52 169 73 85
863 457
4 245
8 121 457
125 152
3,439
153 2 79 11 15 178 59 39 0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Po
pu
lati
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FIGURE 6: Counts of Literally Homeless Persons by Continuum of Care In Emergency Shelter In Transitional Housing* Unsheltered
741
7
518
77 188
804
257 276
4,903
State and Regional Homeless Census: Point-in-Time Survey Findings
As a starting point, 7, 771 persons were identified as experiencing literal homelessness on January 23rd
across Louisiana [Figure 5]. Of these, most (81percent) were in households without children and 19 percent
were in households with at least one child and adult. A small but disturbing amount, 51, or 0.7 percent, were
in children-only households. Of note, Transitional Housing includes those persons who were residing in Safe
Havens. This was a separate reporting division in the 2012 requirements set forth by HUD. For the purposes
of this report, they are treated as a single housing type.
COUNTS BY COC - Figure 6 separates the literally homeless counts by Emergency Shelter, Transitional
Housing (including Safe Havens), and those who were unsheltered on the night of the Census in each Continuum
of Care region. The largest number of homeless persons were identified in Regions I and X (Orleans and
Jefferson Parishes). Region VII, representing the nine parishes in the northwest corner of Louisiana that
surround Shreveport, had 804 persons overall and has the second highest count.
1,111
243 10
1,288 1,126
18
3,871
81 23 0
1000
2000
3000
4000
Persons in Households without Children Persons in Households with at least One Childand One Adult
Persons in Children-only Households
Po
pu
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FIGURE 5: Counts of Literally Homeless Persons Statewide
In Emergency Shelter In Transitional Housing* Unsheltered
6,270 1,450 51
* "In Transitional Housing" inclusive of persons residing in Safe Havens
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 12
TOTAL COUNTS BY COC AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE - Figure 7 displays all Point-In-Time Counts, sheltered and unsheltered, of literally homeless persons by Region within the State. The numbers of persons residing in Safe Havens are shown separately from the Transitional Housing counts in the Figure. The CoC Number is an assigned designation made by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
FIGURE 7: 2012 Counts of Homeless Persons by Regional Continuum of Care
Region CoC
Number Unsheltered
In Emergency Shelter
In Transitional Housing
In Safe Haven
Total Count
Region I & X - Orleans & Jefferson
LA-503
3,439 601 848 15 4,903
Persons in Households without Children 3,385 524 371 15 4,295
Persons in Households with only children 9 8 13 0 30
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
45 69 464 0 578
Region II - Baton Rouge
LA-504
153 131 455 2 741
Persons in Households without Children 132 128 421 2 683
Persons in Households with only children 1 0 1 0 2
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
20 3 33 0 56
Region III - Houma
LA-508
2 1 4 0 7
Persons in Households without Children 0 1 1 0 2
Persons in Households with only children 2 0 0 0 2
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
0 0 3 0 3
Region IV - Lafayette
LA-500
79 194 245 0 518
Persons in Households without Children 79 120 126 0 325
Persons in Households with only children 0 0 0 0 0
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
0 74 119 0 193
Region V - Lake Charles
LA-501
11 58 7 1 77
Persons in Households without Children 0 58 7 1 66
Persons in Households with only children 11 0 0 0 11
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
0 0 0 0 0
Region VI - Alexandria
LA-507
15 52 121 0 188
Persons in Households without Children 15 46 95 0 156
Persons in Households with only children 0 0 0 0 0
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
0 6 26 0 32
Region VII - Shreveport
LA-502
178 169 448 9 804
Persons in Households without Children 178 131 155 9 473
Persons in Households with only children 0 0 4 0 4
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
0 38 289 0 327
Region VIII - Monroe
LA-505
59 73 117 8 257
Persons in Households without Children 53 42 14 8 117
Persons in Households with only children 0 2 0 0 2
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
6 29 103 0 138
Region IX - Northshore
LA-506
39 85 152 0 276
Persons in Households without Children 29 61 63 0 153
Persons in Households with only children 0 0 0 0 0
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
10 24 89 0 123
Total
3,975 1,364 2,397 35 7,771
Persons in Households without Children 3,871 1,111 1,253 35 6,270
Persons in Households with only children 23 10 18 0 51
Persons in Households with at least one Adult and one Child
81 243 1,126 0 1,450
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 13
65.6% 34.3%
0.1% FIGURE 9: Gender of Literally Homeless Persons
N=4,121
Males
Females
Transgender
64% 32%
3% 1%
FIGURE 10: Race of Literally Homeless Persons
N= 4,105
Black or African-AmericanWhite
Two or more races
Other*
*American Indian or Alaskan Native (0.6%), Asian (0.2%), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (0.1%)
AGE GROUPS - Figure 8 displays the age ranges of persons experiencing literal homelessness. Of the 7,771 persons identified as literally homeless, 52.1 percent provided a birth date, wherein the youngest was under the age of one, while the oldest was 69 on the night of the Count. More than a quarter (26.8%) of the reported ages fell between 45 and 54. One fifth of the respondents were children under the age of 18, accounting for 776 participants.
RACE, GENDER, AND ETHNICITY - Figures 9, 10, and 11 provide demographic data of survey participants
who were identified as literally homeless. About half of
all persons responded to interview questions that asked
for the participant to state which gender, race, or
ethnicity best described him or her. Of those who shared
this information, approximately two-thirds self-identified
as male [Figure 9], two-thirds were African-American
[Figure 10], and almost all were non-Hispanic/non-Latino
FIGURE 17: Disabling Conditions Amongst Literally Homeless Persons by Continuum of Care
Chronic Substance Abuse Severe Mental Illness HIV/AIDS
N = 7,771
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 16
CorrectionalFacility
Hospital/MedicalFacility
Mental HealthInstitution
Substance AbuseTreatment
FacilityMilitary Service Foster Care
Region I & X 85 79 45 18 4 1
Region II 7 6 2 5 0 1
Region III 0 0 0 0 0 0
Region IV 19 11 6 2 0 0
Region V 8 5 2 3 0 0
Region VI 3 0 2 0 0 0
Region VII 40 34 16 7 2 0
Region VIII 15 4 4 1 0 0
Region IX 1 7 1 6 0 0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Po
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FIGURE 19: Literally Homeless Persons Discharged within 30 Days of Point-in-Time Count
by Contuinuum of Care
6=<0.1%
78=2.4%
145=4.5%
178=5.5%
42=1.3%
2=<0.1%
N = 451
30 34 21 17
0 0 12
22 18
9 1 1
136
90
39
16 5 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
CorrectionalFacility
Hospital/MedicalFacility
Mental HealthInstitution
Substance AbuseTreatment Facility
Military Service Foster Care
FIGURE 18: Literally Homeless Persons Discharged within 30 Days of Point-in-Time Count
In Emergency Shelter In Transitional Housing Unsheltered
2
145 78
6 42
178
DISCHARGED INTO HOMELESSNESS - Figure 18 displays responses to the question of whether the
participant was discharged from a series of institutions/facilities within 30 days prior to the night of the
Census. Of the 451 adults surveyed who affirmed that they had been released, 178 had been in correctional
facilities (5.5%), 145 were from hospital/medical facilities (4.5%), 78 were from institutions of mental health
treatment (2.4%), 42 were from treatment facilities for substance abuse treatment (1.3%), 6 were from
military service (<0.1%), and 2 from foster care(<0.1%). The majority, or 64 percent, of those who had been
released were unsheltered. Twenty-two percent were sleeping in Emergency Shelters, and 14 percent were
in Transitional Housing programs for homeless persons.
Figure 19 describes the same data broken down by region.
N = 451
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 17
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS - Figures 20 and 21 provide an overview of the number of persons identified as
experiencing chronic homelessness. A chronically homeless person is defined as an unaccompanied homeless
individual (18 or older) with a disabling condition, or a family with at least one adult member (18 or older)
who has a disabling condition, who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more or has had at
least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years4. Persons who are residing in Emergency
Shelters, because it is often episodic with intermittent periods of sleeping on the streets, may be considered
chronically homeless when meeting the other measures. Nationally, about 10 percent of homeless persons are
chronically homeless. In the 2012 Louisinana Homeless Census, approximately 38 percent of the population
was identified as chronically homeless, with 2,742 individuals, or persons without children, and 201 families.
Nine out of ten chronically homeless individuals were unsheltered on the night of the Census, with the most in
Regions I & X, where they have a vast number of persons living in abandoned buildings that became
uninhabitable during Hurrican Katrina [Figure 20]. For chronically homeless families, more than half were
residing in emergency shelters during the night of the Count [Figure 21].
4 US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2011, October). 2012 Housing Inventory Count and Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons Data Collection
Guidance. Washington, DC: Author.
Region I& X
Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VIRegion
VIIRegion
VIIIRegion IX
Unsheltered 2,252 51 0 35 0 8 86 27 3
Sheltered 116 25 0 29 20 4 36 31 19
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
Po
pu
lati
on
FIGURE 20: Chronically Homeless Individuals by CoC N = 2,742
12
76
0
64
2,368
20
122
58 21
10.2%
89.8%
Region I& X
Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI Region VIIRegion
VIIIRegion IX
Unsheltered 23 51 0 2 0 26 0 2 0
Sheltered 31 25 0 10 20 6 1 4 0
01020304050607080
Po
pu
lati
on
FIGURE 21: Chronically Homeless Families by CoC
51.8%
48.2%
N = 201
0
76
54
12 20
32
1 0 6
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 18
LENGTH OF TIME UNSHELTERED – Figure 22 builds upon the experience of those persons who were
unsheltered on the night of the Count. Of the 1,019 who provided an estimate of the length of time they had
been living on the streets, approximately 20 percent (199 persons) had been without steady shelter or
housing for a year or more. Moreover, 26 persons reported that they had been unsheltered for longer than
ten years.
VULNERABILITY INDEX – Figures 23, 24, and 25 examine the findings from the Vulnerablity Index questions that were incorporated into the 2012 Homeless Census in Louisiana. The Vulnerability Index (VI) is a nationally recognized tool5 for identifying who is most at risk of dying by remaining unsheltered, or in Emergency Shelters in an intermittent basis. For individuals who have been homeless for at least six months, one or more of the following markers place them at heightened risk of mortality: 1) More than three hospitalizations or emergency room visits in a year 2) More than three emergency room visits in the previous three months 3) Aged 60 or older 4) Cirrhosis of the liver 5) End-stage renal disease 6) History of frostbite, immersion foot, or hypothermia 7) HIV/AIDS 8) Tri-morbidity: co-occurring psychiatric, substance abuse, and chronic medical condition, lived on the streets for more than six months, as well as series of health conditions Using these eight risk factors, a score on a scale of zero to eight is assigned to the respondent. Rank is
ascending, with zero indicating the least vulnerable to mortality and eight having the greatest risk.
Communities can use this data to prioritize who may benefit the most, healthwise, by being placed in
permanent housing. This model is being utilized in cities and larger jurisdictions throughout the United States,
through the 100,000 Homes Campaign6, and, increasingly, communities are harnessing this data as part of
5 The Vulnerability Index is practical application of research into the causes of death of homeless individuals living on the street conducted by
Boston’s Healthcare for the Homeless organization, led by Dr. Jim O’Connell. The Boston research identified the specific health conditions that cause homeless individuals to be most at risk for dying on the street.
6 100,000 Homes. (2010). Retrieved September 4, 2012, from http://100khomes.org/
439
381
62 40
19 17 7 10 7 1 10 26
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Po
pu
lati
on
FIGURE 22: Length of Time Unsheltered
N = 1,019
<1 Year 80.5%
1-5 Years 13.5%
5-10 Years 3.4%
>10 Years 2.6%
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 19
Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI Region VII Region VIII Region IX
Four 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Three 11 0 13 3 0 28 3 5
Two 18 0 26 14 3 61 6 12
One 53 0 84 34 15 165 40 52
82 124
51 18
254
49 69
050
100150200250300
Po
pu
lati
on
FIGURE 23: Vulnerability Index Scores by CoC Region
68.5%
21.6%
9.7%
0.14%
FIGURE 24: Literally Homeless Persons with Vulnerability Index Scores
of One or Greater*
OneTwoThreeFour
443
63
1
140
Possible scale of 0-8; no participants had a
Vulnerability Index Score of greater than 4.
N = 674
their annual point-in-time counts of homeless persons. Within Louisiana, several of the Continua are using
Vulnerability Index findings to help focus decision-making around limited permanent housing program funds.
Eight Continua elected to conduct a VI assessment of the persons who were surveyed during the Homeless
Census [Figure 23]. Regions I and X conduct periodic VI surveys at other times during the year; thus their data
are not included in these findings. The state as a whole, for
the participating eight Continua, almost one-third of the
persons surveyed (647, or 32.8% of 1,974), were deemed
vulnerable to some extent, with a score of one or
greater. Region VII, consisting of the nine parishes in the
northwest corner of the state that includes Shreveport, has the
greatest number of vulnerable homeless persons, followed by
Region IV, consisting of the 8 parishes around Lafayette
[Figure 23]. Of the persons who were surveyed for the
purposes of the VI, almost two-thirds (443 or 68.5%) were at
the lowest level of vulnerability, with scores of one. There
were 140 who scored twos (21.6%), 7 (9.7%) with scores of
three, and 1 (0.14%) with a score of four [Figure 24]. Figure 25 provides a comparison of persons surveyed
and those deemed vulnerable, with a score of one or greater.
0
1000
RegionII
RegionIII
RegionIV
RegionV
RegionVI
RegionVII
RegionVIII
RegionIX
211 7
438 103 38
749
152 276
Po
pu
lati
on
FIGURE 25: Percentage of Respondents with Vulnerability Score of One or Greater
Score 1+
VI Assessed38.9% 0.0%
28.3% 49.5% 47.4% 34.0% 32.2% 25.0%
N = 1,947
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 20
Housing Types Emergency Shelter (ES): programs that provide a temporary place to stay for newcomers, travelers, people who are in crisis, or homeless individuals in the community. Stays are usually less than six months.
Homeless Prevention and Rapid-Rehousing (HPRP): A HUD-funded program that was designed to assist households who would otherwise become homeless without the short-term support, and to quickly help re-house those who are homeless. This HUD Federal program ends November 30, 2012.
Permanent Supportive Housing(PSH) : programs that provide affordable, community-based housing for individuals and families who have experienced long-term or chronic homelessness and have been diagnosed as having a physical or developmental disability, a severe mental illness, substance abuse problems or HIV/AIDS; structures include apartments, single-family houses, duplexes, group homes or single-room occupancy housing; most offer some type of case management and housing support.
Safe Haven (SH) : programs that serve chronically homeless individuals living with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders and do not require a commitment to services as a precondition for housing.
Transitional Housing (TH): programs that provide extended shelter and supportive services for homeless individuals and/or families with the goal of helping them live independently and transition into permanent housing; stays are generally longer than two weeks but typically 60 days or more and, in many cases, up to two years or more; may be configured for
specialized groups within the homeless population such as people with substance abuse problems, homeless mentally ill, homeless domestic violence victims, Veterans or homeless people with AIDS/HIV.
State and Regional Homeless Census: Housing Inventory
In addition to assessing the number of persons experiencing literal homelessness, Continua of Care across the state of Louisiana also assessed the availability of housing on the night of January 23rd, including both occupied and unoccupied beds. The following series of charts provides this data, grouped by housing type and household type. Included are the numbers of housing units and beds, both for households with children and without children. Also provided is the total number of beds and the Point-in-Time Count of those who were experiencing literal homelessness, so that a utilization rate could be established for each region. In total, there were 9,223 beds available, of which 3,574 were for households with children, and 5,922 were for households without children. (Some of these beds can be used for either type of household, so the total does not add up to the total bed count of 9,223.) There were an additional 221 overflow beds. The overall utilization rate was 61% for Emergency Shelter beds, 77% for Homeless Prevention and Rapid-Rehousing beds, 67% for Permanent Supportive Housing beds, and 78% for Transitional Housing beds. Overall, the utilization rate was 71%. Within each category one can see much variation, some of which could be attributed to inconsistencies with the reporting of Point-in-time counts or the number of beds that were in place on the night of the Census. The beds may have been apportioned based on average utilization rates during the year or the beds may have been apportioned based on how they are used on the night of the Count7. Appendix C contains a listing of agencies and programs that provide the housing services along with their individual number of beds, units, and statistics.
7 US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2011, October). 2012 Housing Inventory Count and Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons Data Collection Guidance. Washington, DC: Author.
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 21
FIGURE 26: Housing Inventory for State
Housing/Program Type
Households with Children
Households without Children
Households with Only Children
Total Beds
# Occupied
Beds
Utilization Rate
Seasonal and
Overflow Beds # of Units # of Beds # of Beds # of Beds
ES Beds and Units: 202 735 1,267 11 2,013 1,331 66.1% 215 Region I & X 43 125 559 N/A 684 614 89.8% 59
Region II 29 103 106 N/A 209 134 64.1% 100
Region III 13 32 31 N/A 63 1 1.6% 0
Region IV 33 106 146 N/A 252 171 67.9% 9
Region V 18 111 39 N/A 150 50 33.3% 1
Region VI 5 30 66 N/A 96 57 59.4% 12
Region VII 36 161 203 N/A 364 169 46.4% 15
Region VIII 16 44 51 11 106 56 52.8% 16
Region IX 9 23 66 N/A 89 79 88.8% 3
HPRP Beds & Units: 70 301 73 N/A 374 161 43.0% N/A Region I & X 1 3 59 N/A 62 62 100.0% N/A
Region II 0 0 14 N/A 14 1 7.1% N/A
Region III N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region IV 1 4 0 N/A 4 4 100.0% N/A
Region V N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region VI N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region VII 40 200 0 N/A 200 0 0.0% N/A
Region VIII 24 79 0 N/A 79 79 100.0% N/A
Region IX 4 15 0 N/A 15 15 100.0% N/A
PSH Beds & Units: 421 1,209 3,019 NA 4,228 3,172 75.0% N/A Region I & X 194 625 1,783 NA 2,408 1,859 77.2% N/A
Region II 45 107 357 NA 464 313 67.5% N/A
Region III 28 98 106 NA 204 0 0.0% N/A
Region IV 21 71 68 NA 139 129 92.8% N/A
Region V 28 48 70 NA 118 15 12.7% N/A
Region VI 26 77 100 NA 177 189 106.8% N/A
Region VII 9 28 305 NA 333 297 89.2% N/A
Region VIII 25 42 81 NA 123 110 89.4% N/A
Region IX 45 113 149 NA 262 260 99.2% N/A
SH Beds & Units: N/A N/A 37 N/A 37 32 86.5% N/A Region I & X N/A N/A 15 N/A 15 15 100.0% N/A
Region II N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region III N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region IV N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region V N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region VI N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Region VII N/A N/A 10 N/A 10 9 90.0% N/A
Region VIII N/A N/A 12 N/A 12 8 66.7% N/A
Region IX N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
TH Beds & Units: 441 1,333 1,526 12 2,871 2,373 82.7% N/A Region I & X 183 519 282 NA 801 833 104.0% N/A
Region II 19 45 496 NA 541 385 71.2% N/A
Region III 13 33 36 NA 69 4 5.8% N/A
Region IV 62 155 182 NA 337 268 79.5% N/A
Region V 4 8 44 NA 52 27 51.9% N/A
Region VI 4 28 89 NA 117 116 99.1% N/A
Region VII 75 303 290 12 605 448 74.0% N/A
Region VIII 46 125 19 NA 144 140 97.2% N/A
Region IX 35 117 88 NA 205 152 74.1% N/A
Total 1,064 3,578 5,922 23 9,523 7,069 74.2% 215
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 22
State and Federal Demographics
To help provide context for homeless data, the following charts, Figures 27-30, describe several demographic
data points taken from 2010 Federal and State Census data for each CoC. The data provided include:
gender, race, ethnicity, age, educational attainment, household and family counts, housing data, financials,
income, poverty rate, cash benefits, non-cash benefits, employment, transportation, and health. Appendix D
contains a complete set of census data disaggregated to the state, CoC region, and parish level.
REGIONS I & X, II THROUGH V: Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Age, Educational Attainment, Household Counts, and Housing Data
FIGURE 27 Region I & X Region II Region III Region IV Region V
Demographics
Population 776,381 663,255 352,405 638,768 292,619
Gender
Male 376,256 325,363 173,586 311,967 145,560
Female 400,125 337,892 178,819 326,801 147,059
Race
White alone 385,543 356,968 237,327 432,079 215,914
Black or African American alone 320,758 273,432 90,833 177,847 64,009
American Indian or Alaska Native alone 3,085 1,630 9,544 2,977 2,069
Asian alone 26,653 13,708 9,081 8,167 2,541
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 313 237 149 155 119
Some other race alone 24888 9,056 5,887 7,961 2,323
Two or more races 15,141 8,224 5965 9,582 5,617
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino 71,753 23,457 13,645 19425 6,982
Not Hispanic or Latino 704,628 639798 338,760 619,343 285,637
Age
Under 18 170,612 160,234 90,810 165,967 74,255
18-44 298,351 26,1769 126,678 231,107 103,486
45-64 210,791 169,351 94363 165,519 77,136
65 and over 96,627 71,901 40,554 76,175 37,742
Educational Attainment
High School Graduate or Higher * 146,545 127,526 88,437 149,053 70,374
Households
Total Number of Families * 171,393 158,596 91,195 161,715 75,470
Total Number of Households * 279,519 241,324 122,340 235,145 107,231
Housing
Total Housing Units 379,031 274,409 138,681 269,299 123,730
Occupied Housing Units 311,805 249,682 126,552 242,894 110,017
Vacant Housing Unit 67,226 24,727 12,129 26,405 13,713
* = data obtained using the American Community Survey 5-year estimates
= Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals
^ = Realty Trac
A Single Night Counts: Homelessness in Louisiana
Page 26
Appendix A:
2012 Homeless Demographics
& Needs Survey Questionnaire
Survey ID#
Consent for Interview We are here today to talk to you about your housing, health history, and service needs. If you give us permission, we will ask you some questions today for about 10 minutes [and take a picture of you so we can identify you at a later date]. These questions are about your housing and health, as well as the housing and health of persons in your household. By participating in the interview, you give permission to SAMPLE ORGANIZATION to use your information to help us understand the needs for assistance and services in this community. Some of the questions we ask might make you feel uncomfortable or be upsetting. If you feel uncomfortable or upset during the interview, you may ask us to take a break, skip any of the questions, or end the interview at any point. The information that you tell us during the interview will be stored in a safe place and kept secure by SAMPLE ORGANIZATION. At the end of the interview, you will be given the option to have your information shared with outreach workers and case managers who may be able to help you with finding services. Your information will not be shared without your permission. Also, we will give you SAMPLE INCENTIVE at the end of the interview to thank you for your time. No one will be upset or angry if you decide not to be interviewed today. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
SIGN BELOW, IF AGREEING TO BE INTERVIEWED. Your signature (or mark) below indicates that you have been read the information provided above, have received answers to your questions, and have freely chosen to be interviewed. By agreeing to be interviewed, you are not giving up any of your legal rights. ______________ ___________________________________ _ ___________________________________ _ Date Signature (or Mark) of Participant Printed Name of Participant
Please sign below if you also agree to have your picture taken. _________________________________________ Signature (or Mark) of Participant
STATE OF LOUISIANA 2012 Homeless Demographics & Needs Survey
To be addressed following the conclusion of interview:
CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION SIGN BELOW, IF AGREEING TO HAVE YOUR INFORMATION SHARED WITH OTHER SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS: Your signature (or mark) below indicates that you have freely provided information about you and, where applicable, other persons
who were residing with you on the night of January 23, 2012. In addition, you are giving SAMPLE ORGANIZATION permission to share your information with other organizations that may be able to help you. ______________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Signature (or Mark) of Participant Printed Name of Participant
Is there a telephone number where someone may contact you? □ No □Yes: (____)___________________ Telephone Number (____)___________________ Alternate Telephone Number
Survey ID#
Page | 1
Interviewer: “I AM GOING TO ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HOUSING HISTORY FIRST.” Read Questions 1-5 and each response.
1. Which best describes the place you stayed during the night of Monday, January 23rd? On the street (sidewalk, car, tent, park, abandoned building, etc.) In permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless persons In an emergency shelter (facility or vouchers) In a private dwelling that I own or rent (room, apartment, house) In transitional housing (apartment or facility) for homeless persons With a family member in his/her private dwelling In a Safe Haven for homeless persons With a friend in his/her private dwelling In a hospital (non-psychiatric) In some other housing situation, please specify:_________________ In a psychiatric facility or hospital Don’t Know In a substance abuse treatment facility Refused
2. Do you expect to be evicted, discharged, or forced to leave this place within a week AND lack the resources to obtain other housing? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
3. What is the total length of time you have lived on the street and/or in an emergency shelter, if any? (Check the appropriate increment of time, and
record the corresponding number.) ______ number of days Don’t Know ______ number of months Refused ______ number of years
4. How many times have you lived on the street and/or in an emergency shelter in the past three years, if any? _________________ None Don’t Know Refused
5. From which of the following facilities/institutions were you discharged in the past 30 days, if any? (Check all that apply.) Jail or prison (Correctional facility) Substance Abuse Treatment facility Foster care Was not released from a facility or institutions in the past 30 days Hospital / medical facility Don’t Know Mental Health Treatment facility Refused
Interviewer: “NEXT, I AM GOING TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS RELATING TO YOUR HEALTH HISTORY.” Read Questions 6-10, 11-12, and 13-16 and each of the responses. DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS 6a, 10a OR 12a; record your observations only.
6. Do you now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that you have the following medical conditions? (Check all that apply.) Kidney Disease / End Stage Renal Disease or Dialysis Asthma History of frostbite, Hypothermia, or Immersion Foot Cancer History of heatstroke / Heat Exhaustion Hepatitis C Liver disease, Cirrhosis, or End Stage Liver Disease Tuberculosis Heart disease, Arrhythmia, or Irregular Heartbeat Other; please specify:________________________________________ HIV+ / AIDS Have never been diagnosed with any of the above medical conditions Emphysema Don’t Know Diabetes Refused
6a. DO NOT ASK. Interviewer, do you observe signs or symptoms of a serious physical health condition? Yes No Unable to determine
7. Have you ever abused drugs and/or alcohol, or have been told that you do? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
8. Have you consumed alcohol every day for the past month? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
9. Have you ever used non-prescribed injection drugs or shots? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
10. Have you ever been treated for drug or alcohol abuse? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
10a. DO NOT ASK. Interviewer, do you observe signs or symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse? Yes No Unable to determine
11. Are you currently, or have you ever, received treatment for mental health issues? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
12. Have you ever been taken to the hospital against your will for mental health reasons? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
12a. DO NOT ASK. Interviewer, do you observe signs or symptoms of severe, persistent mental illness? Yes No Unable to determine
13. How many times have you been to the emergency room in the past three months?
_________________ None Don’t Know Refused
ANSWER ALL BLANK ITEMS IN THIS BOX.
Region : Parish: Date: Time:
Service Provider Name, Place of Contact, or Location Description:
Survey ID#
Page | 2
14. How many times have you been admitted to the hospital (hospitalized as an inpatient) in the past year?
_________________ None Don’t Know Refused
15. Which type of health insurance do you and/or children who are residing with you have? (Check all that apply.) Medicaid Does not have health insurance Medicare Don’t Know LaCHIP (Children ONLY) Refused Private Insurance
16. Have you ever been a victim of a domestic violence situation? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
Interviewer: “I AM GOING TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS ABOUT MILITARY SERVICE.” Read Questions 17 and 18 and each of the responses. Read Question 19, only if the respondent is a military veteran.
17. Have you served in the U.S. Armed Forces? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
18. Were you activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
DO NOT ASK. Interviewer, if respondent answers “Yes” to either Question 17 or 18, then continue with Question 19. If respondent answers “No” to both Questions 17 and 18, then skip to Question 20.
19. What is your discharge status? Honorable Other; please specify:______________________________ General Don’t Know Medical Refused Dishonorable
Interviewer: “I ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOU.” Read Questions 20-25 and each of the responses.
** Interviewer, if a respondent does not know his/her date of birth, ask for his/her age.
23. What is your gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
24. Which best describes your race? (Check all that apply.) American Indian or Alaskan Native Hawaiian Native or Other Pacific Islander Don’t Know Asian White Refused Black or African American Other:_________________________________
25. Which best describes your ethnicity? Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino Hispanic/Latino Don’t Know Refused
Interviewer: “NOW, I AM GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR CURRENT HOUSEHOLD AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT MAY BE RESIDING WITH YOU.”
Read Question 26 and each of the responses. 26. Which best describes your household composition on the night of Monday, January 23rd? Unaccompanied Individual, WITHOUT children living with you Two-parent household, WITH children living with you Couple, WITHOUT children living with you Other, please specify: ____________________________________ Single parent household, WITH children living with you Refused
DO NOT ASK. Interviewer, if respondent states he/she is an “Unaccompanied Individual, WITHOUT children living with you”, then you should read the below statement. If respondent states that he/she is in any of the other household composition types, then skip to page 3.
Interviewer: “THIS BRINGS ME TO THE END OF THE SURVEY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I HAVE A SAMPLE INCENTIVE FOR YOU. AS I SAID EARLIER, WE MAY BE ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR INFORMATION WITH CASE WORKERS WHO MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH FINDING SERVICES. WOULD YOU CARE TO GIVE PERMISSION FOR US TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR INFORMATION?
Interviewer, if respondent states “Yes”, then have him/her sign the bottom CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION on the cover page. If respondent states “No”, then conclude the interview now.
Survey ID#
Page | 3
Interviewer: “LASTLY, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT ANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE RESIDING WITH YOU ON THE NIGHT OF MONDAY, JANUARY 23RD.” Read the questions and each of the responses for each additional household member that was residing with him/her on January 23rd. For Question
##d, if respondent does not know the additional household members date of birth, ask for his/her age**. Question ##f should be skipped for any additional household member who has a date of birth that is after 1/23/1995 (17 years old or younger).
ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBER #1
27a. What is his/her relationship to you? ______________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
27b. What is his/her first name? ___________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
27c. What is his/her last name? __________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
27d. What is his/her date of birth? ____________/______________/____________________ **[Age:_________] Don’t Know Refused
27e. What is his/her gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
27f. Has he/she served in the U.S. Armed Forces or activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
27g. Does he/she now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that he/she has the following health conditions? (Check all that apply.) Addiction/chronic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Other; please specify:_______________________________________ Severe Mental Illness Have never been diagnosed with any of listed conditions HIV+/AIDS Don’t Know Long-term physical illness (e.g. cancer, Hepatitis C) Refused
ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBER #2
28a. What is his/her relationship to you? ______________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
28b. What is his/her first name? ___________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
28c. What is his/her last name? __________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
28d. What is his/her date of birth? ____________/______________/____________________ **[Age:_________] Don’t Know Refused
28e. What is his/her gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
28f. Has he/she served in the U.S. Armed Forces or activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
28g. Does he/she now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that he/she has the following health conditions? (Check all that apply.) Addiction/chronic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Other; please specify:_______________________________________ Severe Mental Illness Have never been diagnosed with any of listed conditions HIV+/AIDS Don’t Know Long-term physical illness (e.g. cancer, Hepatitis C) Refused
ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBER #3
29a. What is his/her relationship to you? ______________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
29b. What is his/her first name? ___________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
29c. What is his/her last name? __________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
29d. What is his/her date of birth? ____________/______________/____________________ **[Age:_________] Don’t Know Refused
29e. What is his/her gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
29f. Has he/she served in the U.S. Armed Forces or activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
29g. Does he/she now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that he/she has the following health conditions? (Check all that apply.) Addiction/chronic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Other; please specify:_______________________________________ Severe Mental Illness Have never been diagnosed with any of listed conditions HIV+/AIDS Don’t Know Long-term physical illness (e.g. cancer, Hepatitis C) Refused
Survey ID#
Page | 4
ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBER #4
30a. What is his/her relationship to you? ______________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
30b. What is his/her first name? ___________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
30c. What is his/her last name? __________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
30d. What is his/her date of birth? ____________/______________/____________________ **[Age:_________] Don’t Know Refused
30e. What is his/her gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
30f. Has he/she served in the U.S. Armed Forces or activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
30g. Does he/she now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that he/she has the following health conditions? (Check all that apply.) Addiction/chronic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Other; please specify:_______________________________________ Severe Mental Illness Have never been diagnosed with any of listed conditions HIV+/AIDS Don’t Know Long-term physical illness (e.g. cancer, Hepatitis C) Refused
ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBER #5
31a. What is his/her relationship to you? ______________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
31b. What is his/her first name? ___________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
31c. What is his/her last name? __________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
31d. What is his/her date of birth? ____________/______________/____________________ **[Age:_________] Don’t Know Refused
31e. What is his/her gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
31f. Has he/she served in the U.S. Armed Forces or activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
31g. Does he/she now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that he/she has the following health conditions? (Check all that apply.) Addiction/chronic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Other; please specify:_______________________________________ Severe Mental Illness Have never been diagnosed with any of listed conditions HIV+/AIDS Don’t Know Long-term physical illness (e.g. cancer, Hepatitis C) Refused
ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBER #6
32a. What is his/her relationship to you? ______________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
32b. What is his/her first name? ___________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
32c. What is his/her last name? __________________________________________ Don’t Know Refused
32d. What is his/her date of birth? ____________/______________/____________________ **[Age:_________] Don’t Know Refused
32e. What is his/her gender? Male Female Transgender : Male to Female / Female to Male Don’t Know Refused
32f. Has he/she served in the U.S. Armed Forces or activated, into active duty, as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist? Yes No Don’t Know Refused
32g. Does he/she now have, ever had, or been told by a healthcare provider that he/she has the following health conditions? (Check all that apply.) Addiction/chronic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs Other; please specify:_______________________________________ Severe Mental Illness Have never been diagnosed with any of listed conditions HIV+/AIDS Don’t Know Long-term physical illness (e.g. cancer, Hepatitis C) Refused
Interviewer: “THIS BRINGS ME TO THE END OF THE SURVEY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I HAVE A SAMPLE INCENTIVE FOR YOU. AS I SAID EARLIER, WE MAY BE ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR INFORMATION WITH CASE WORKERS WHO MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH FINDING SERVICES. WOULD YOU CARE TO GIVE PERMISSION FOR US TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR INFORMATION?
Interviewer, if respondent states “Yes”, then have him/her sign the bottom CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION on the cover page. If respondent states “No”, then conclude the interview now.
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Appendix B:
Glossary of Terms
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Age: Generally derived from date of birth information, and is based on the age of the person in complete years.
Armed Forces: Members of the U.S. Armed Forces (people on active duty with the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard).
Below poverty level: Following the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) Directive 14, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to detect who is poor. If the total income for a family or unrelated individual falls below the relevant poverty threshold, then the family or unrelated individual is classified as being "below the poverty level."
Chronically Homeless Family: A household with at least one adult member (persons 18 or older) who has a disabling condition (see definition below) and who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more OR has had at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years. To be considered chronically homeless, persons must have been sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., living on the streets) and/or in an Emergency Shelter/Safe Haven during that time. For purposes of the PIT, persons living in Transitional Housing at the time of the PIT count should not be included in this subpopulation category; the subpopulation count should include all members of the household.
Chronically Homeless Individual: An unaccompanied homeless adult individual (persons years or older) with a disabling condition (see definition below) who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more OR has had at least four (4) episodes of in the past three (3) years. To be considered chronically homeless, persons must have sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., living on the streets) and/ Emergency Shelter/Safe Haven during that time. Persons under the age of 18 are not as chronically homeless. For purposes of the PIT, persons living in Transitional Housing at the time of the PIT count should not be included in this subpopulation category.
Chronic Substance Abuse: This category on the PIT includes persons with a substance abuse problem (alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or both) that is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration and substantially impairs the person’s ability to live independently.
Civilian Labor Force: All of those in the labor force with the exclusion of people on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.
Continuum of Care (CoC): A regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals.
Contributory HMIS Program: A program that contributes Protected Personal Information (PPI) or other client-level data to an HMIS.
Disabling Condition: A physical, mental, or emotional impairment which is (a) expected to be of long continued and indefinite duration, (b) substantially impedes an individual’s ability to live independently, and (c) of such a nature that such ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions; (3) a developmental disability as defined in Section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; (4) the disease of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or any conditions arising from the etiological agency for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; or (5) a diagnosable substance abuse disorder (As defined in Section 223 of the Social Security Administration Act). Domestic Violence Survivor: Someone who has fled the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior perpetrated by a family member, household member, or intimate partner.
Educational Attainment: Refers to the highest level of education completed in terms of the highest degree or the highest level of schooling completed. Individuals who possess at least a high school diploma.
Emergency Shelter: Programs that provide a temporary place to stay for newcomers, travelers, people who are in crisis, or homeless individuals in the community. Stays are usually less than six months.
Employed: Includes all civilians 16 years old and over who were either (1) "at work" -- those who did any work at all during the reference week as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession, worked on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers on a family farm or in a family business; or (2) were "with a job but not at work" -- those who did not work during the reference week but had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation, or other personal reasons.
Female Head of house below poverty level: Percent of families with a female householder, no husband present.
Foreclosure: Number of homes who filed foreclosure documents.
Head of household (HOH): An individual within a family group who provides support and maintenance to one or more individuals who are related to him or her through adoption, blood, marriage, or was residing with other persons on the night of the Homeless Census. This was self-designated for survey purposes.
Homeless Person: A homeless person is someone who is living on the street, in an Emergency Shelter, in Transitional Housing for homeless persons, or in a Safe Haven.
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Homeless Prevention and Rapid-Rehousing: A HUD-funded program that was designed to assist households who would otherwise become homeless without the short-term support, and to quickly help re-house those who are homeless.
In Labor Force: The labor force includes all people classified in the civilian labor force, plus members of the U.S. Armed Forces (people on active duty with the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard). The Civilian Labor Force consists of people classified as employed or unemployed.
Median Income: The median income divides the income distribution into two equal groups, one having income above the median, and the other having incomes below the median.
Not in Labor Force: Consists mainly of students, housewives, retired workers, seasonal workers interviewed in an off season who were, not looking for work, institutionalized people, and people doing incidental unpaid family work.
Permanent Supportive Housing: Programs that provide affordable, community-based housing for individuals and families who have experienced long-term or chronic homelessness and have been diagnosed as having a physical or developmental disability, a severe mental illness, substance abuse problems or HIV/AIDS; structures include apartments, single-family houses, duplexes, group homes or single-room occupancy housing; most offer some type of case management and housing support.
Persons with HIV/AIDS: This subpopulation category of the PIT includes persons who have been diagnosed with AIDS and/or have tested positive for HIV.
Population: All people, male and female, child and adult, living in a geographic area.
Protected Personal Information (PPI): Information about a client: (1) whose identity is apparent from the information or can reasonably be ascertained from the information; or (2) whose identity can, taking into account any methods reasonably likely to be used, be learned by linking the information with other available information or by otherwise manipulating the information.
Race: A self-identification data item in which respondents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify.
Severely Mentally Ill (SMI): This subpopulation category of the PIT includes persons with mental health problems that are expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration and substantially impairs the person’s ability to live independently.
Safe Haven (SH): Programs that serve chronically homeless individuals living with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse
disorders and do not require a commitment to services as a precondition for housing.
Social Security Income (SSI): Individuals receiving Social Security Income.
Transitional Housing: programs that provide extended shelter and supportive services for homeless individuals and/or families with the goal of helping them live independently and transition into permanent housing; stays are generally longer than two weeks but typically 60 days or more and, in many cases, up to two years or more; may be configured for specialized groups within the homeless population such as people with substance abuse problems, homeless mentally ill, homeless domestic violence victims, Veterans or homeless people with AIDS/HIV.
Unaccompanied Child (under 18): This subpopulation category of the PIT includes persons under the age of 18 with a household size of one.
Unemployed: All civilians 16 years old and over are classified as unemployed if they (1) were neither "at work" nor "with a job but
not at work" during the reference week, and (2) were actively looking for work during the last 4 weeks, and (3) were available to accept a job. Also included as unemployed are civilians who did not work at all during the reference week, were waiting to be called back to a job from which they had been laid off, and were available for work except for temporary illness.
Unsheltered: a phrase used to describe any location that a person may be residing that is not intended for human habitation; includes automobiles, wooded areas, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, barns, under bridges, etc.
Veteran: This subpopulation category of the PIT includes persons who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. This does not include inactive military reserves or the National Guard unless the person was called up to active duty.
Victims of Domestic Violence: This subpopulation category of the PIT includes persons who have been victims of domestic violence
at any point in the past.
Worker: This term appears in connection with several subjects: journey-to-work items, class of worker, work status in the past 12 months, weeks worked in the past 12 months, and number of workers in family in the past 12 months. Its meaning varies and, therefore, should be determined in each case by referring to the definition of the subject in which it appears.
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Appendix C:
Housing Inventory by
Continuum of Care (CoC) Region
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CoC REGIONS I & X.
Housing Inventory for Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, Page 1 of 4
Housing/Program Type Geo
Codes
Households with Children
Households without
Children # of Beds
Households with Only Children #
of Beds
Total Beds
# Beds Occupied
Utilization Rate
Overflow/Seasonal Beds # of
Units # of Beds
Emergency Shelter Beds and Units 43 125 559 0 684 614 89.8% 59
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans--Jefferson CARE Center 229051 14 34 2 0 36 30 83.3% 0