NCJ Number
223354
Journal
Evaluation Review: A Journal of Applied Social Research Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 325-341
Date Published
August 2004
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article documents the methods and results of a multipronged count of homeless children and youth in New Haven, CT.
Abstract
The methods used in the New Haven homeless count had two major strengths: thoroughness and cost efficiency. The survey used in this count accessed demographics and service needs, and was administered on the streets and in a wide range of service provision settings. By employing “street sweeps” via outreach workers and accessing almost every agency and organization in the city that had the potential to have contact with homeless individuals, this count was more thorough than any prior effort. This approach appears to have been adequate and reliable in terms of estimating the numbers of homeless children, with finding matching the qualitative impressions of experienced homeless workers and administrators. A total of 170 homeless families were located, comprised primarily of young, single, African-American women and their children. These families included 323 children, suggesting that approximately 1,688 children are homeless each year in this city of 123,626. Despite the thoroughness of the survey, it was clear that due to the characteristics of smaller cities and the youth populations in these cities more in-depth and creative methods are needed to evaluate the nature of the unaccompanied youth population. With regard to cost efficiency, this count was conducted for the costs of photocopying and postage, some of which was donated. These methods are readily transferable to similar and larger sized cities. All cities with few funds available for servicing homeless populations will appreciate the cost-effectiveness of this method. Table, references