2013 Homeless CensusBalance of State Region

Jason RodriguezGeorgia Department of Community Affairs

Georgia’s 7 regions (CoCs)Balance of State, Chatham, Clarke,

Cobb, Muscogee, Richmond, Tri-J Separate efforts, different ways of

counting Balance of State region covers 152

counties (out of 159 total) Homeless census in all counties = too

costly! Some estimation is necessary

Federal requirements (HUD) Each Continuum of Care (CoC) must

submit complete homeless counts for every county in their jurisdiction every two years.

This must be a point-in-time (one-night) count during the last week of January.

This year, we chose the point-in-time night to be Monday, January 28.

Past homeless counts

Before 2008 Estimations based on poverty rate, etc.

2008, 2009, 2011 Statistical model (KSU)

2013 We are sticking with the

statistical approach

2011 results, compared with 2009 Statewide

19,876 total homeless on one night (down 6% )

57% were unsheltered (no change)

Balance of State 10,242 total homeless on one night

(down 7%) 77% were unsheltered (down 2%)

Unshelt

ered H

omele

ss

Shelt

ered H

omele

ss

Precar

iously

Housed

Other H

omele

ss0%

20%40%60%80%

100%

Worked for Pay in 30 Days Prior to Survey

Not at AllDay LaborPart-TimeFull-Time

Missing data rate: 12%

Timeline for 2013

Nov 2: County targeting decisions made

Nov 5: Funding decisions made Nov 14: Count coordinator meeting

in Macon Dec 5: Conference call – updates,

concerns Jan 21-25: Train volunteers Jan 29-Feb 4: Count Feb 14: Surveys due back to KSU Apr 20: KSU sends data to DCA

Targeting our 2013 Census

It is possible we’ll be able to count in 80 counties this year

Counties we may not provide funding for Lincoln, McDuffie, Warren, Jefferson, Burke,

Glynn, Jones, Carroll, Worth, Colquitt, Dougherty, Mitchell, Thomas, Miller, Decatur, Glynn

Overlapping county availability If you have experience coordinating DCA’s

Census in the past, you will be chosen over someone who is not experienced

DCA funding: Very limited this year We are expanding the census to a

greater number of counties, but with less funds available per county.

Many things would help a homeless census be more thorough and accurate, but we have to focus on the resources that are absolutely necessary.

Contracts will be written up soon, and funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis.

Funding Acceptable costs

Small incentives for survey respondents ($5 or less); flyers and other advertisements; meals, gas, and supplies for volunteers; travel and other reasonable compensation for staff; postage for mailing surveys

Try to find additional sources of funding for: Appreciation luncheons/dinners, better or more

incentives, special projects, miscellaneous Keep all your receipts!

Don’t worry about survey costs! Please do not print or copy surveys

on your own. They have to be professionally printed in a certain way.

Overestimate how many surveys you will need, and DCA will provide them.

This will save KSU tons of time and effort when scanning the surveys.

Strategies for raising other funds Invest in a little advertising Make use of your connections

(service clubs, churches, charities) Pursue corporate sponsorships Any successful strategies you would

like to share? What has worked in the past? What hasn’t worked in the past?

Generating publicity and recruiting volunteers Advertise in the newspaper, on the

radio, etc. Try to get local media outlets on

board Contact churches, colleges, school

boards, police departments, DFACS, etc.

Don’t go it alone! Partner with other service providers.

Any suggestions? What has worked? What hasn’t worked?

Next steps

After I inform you of county targeting decisions on Friday: Start establishing contacts immediately, and begin fundraising efforts as soon as possible.

Meeting at River Edge in Macon on November 14, 10:30 AM. Updates, further discussion, questions,

concerns, brainstorming