Data feedback from Dallas 100,000 Homes Campaign "Registry Week"

During the week of March 25-30, 2012 between the hours of 3:30 AM and 6:30 AM, 85 community volunteers canvassed the streets of targeted areas in Downtown Dallas.  The volunteer teams used Community Solutions' Vulnerability Index to survey and create a by-name list of individuals experiencing street homelessness who are most at risk of premature death.

In addition to systematically gathering the names, pictures, and dates of birth of individuals sleeping on the streets, the teams also captured data on their health status, institutional history (jail, prison, hospital, and military), length of homelessness, patterns of shelter use, and previous housing situation.  These data were collected by use of a 36 item questionnaire.  The Vulnerability Index was used to identify those who have been homeless the longest and are the most vulnerable.  The list will be used to target new and available housing and service resources to the most vulnerable in an effort to reduce chronic homelessness within Downtown Dallas. 

Results

• 268 individuals experiencing street homelessness were identified and surveyed in Downtown Dallas.
• 107 (40%) were found to have health conditions associated with a high mortality risk.

At-Risk Indicators

• 48 (18%) Tri-Morbid
• 40 (15%) More than 3 hospitalizations or ER visits in past year
• 32 (12%) More than 3 ER visits in past 3 months
• 29 (11%) Age over 60
• 11 (4%) HIV/AIDS
• Liver Disease, Cirrhosis, ESLD 16 (6%)
• Kidney Disease, ESRD, or Dialysis 8 (3%)
• Frostbite, Cold/Wet Weather Injury 32 (12%)

Other Facts

• Oldest respondent:  70
• Longest reported length of homelessness:  42 years
• Average years homeless of respondents:  8 years
• Average years homeless for Non-Vulnerable population:  4 years
• 199 inpatient hospitalizations were reported in the past year
• 295 ER visits were reported in the past 3 months
• 164 (61%) report having no health insurance
• Majority of respondents seek medical are in the Parkland Health and Hospital System

Gender (Total Surveyed)

• 85% male
• 13% female
• 1% transgendered
• 1% unknown

Service Needs

• 83 (31%) reported dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse
• 184 (69%) reported a history of substance abuse
• 110 (41%) reported only signs or symptoms of mental illness
• 135 (50) reported at least one serious health condition

Veterans (Total Surveyed)

• 49 (18%) were veterans
• 20 veterans met criteria for "Vulnerable"

The 100,000 Homes Campaign in Dallas was spearheaded by CitySquare and other community partners along with the City of Dallas.

Community Solutions

The mission of Community Solutions is to strengthen communities to end homelessness by building partnerships, sharing innovations, and connecting vulnerable people to homes and support.  Community Solutions is currently organizing change agents to find and house the 100,000 most vulnerable homeless individuals in America as part of its 100,000 Homes Campaign.

100,000 Homes Campaign, an experience

Monday morning, this morning, at about 3:30, we gathered together, about 70 of us.  We teamed up and hit the streets, er, more accurately, the right-of-way under the bridges that form the Downtown Dallas freeway loop. 

For almost two  hours we navigated the hidden, underworld of Dallas' hardcore homeless population.  Our efforts were apart of the "100,000 Homes Campaign," a national effort to house the most vulnerable among our homeless neighbors. 

We met delightful people, almost all of whom find themselves saddled with a host of problems, many related to health.  Our mission:  to administer a health vulnerability survey that could form the platform or basis for future, very determined intervention to assist these new friends and neighbors to find permanent housing. 

During this first morning, we surveyed formally 104 different people! 

What an experience!

The work will continue for the next two mornings.  Just as today, workers will gather at the same early hour at the Stewpot, the historic ministry of First Presbyterian Church located at Park Avenue and Young Street in Downtown Dallas. 

Join the group if you are so inclined. 

The photos here were captured as we moved from "home" to "home" under the I-45 bridge near the Martin Luther King, Jr. exit. 

I know these people. . .

Homeless persons live all around us.

Unfortunately, they remain, for the most part, invisible people.

Spend just a few moments losing yourself in this gallery of photos. 

Warning:  be prepared for some emotions.

As you watch, do your very best to simply "see" them, as you imagine the outline of their lives. 

Such power resides in simple attention to others.

100,000 Homes Campaign

Over the past couple of years, 100 communities across the country have joined a collaborative effort, led by Community Solutions, to find permanent housing for 100,000 of the most medically vulnerable homeless Americans by July of 2013.

Together, these communities, including over 3,000 volunteers, are part of a growing movement known as the "100,000 Homes Campaign,"  and have  helped 11,751 homeless people into permanent homes already available in the communities. 

CitySquare is leading the effort here in Dallas.  Later this year, likely in March, a large team of trained volunteers will fan out across the central business district to meet and to "register" as many of these very poor and typically medically weakened neighbors.  The goal:  to get to know who they are, document the health status of each, and to assist them in securing permanent housing along with the stability that having a place to call home provides.

Our partners in this effort include Downtown Dallas, Inc., Hamilton Properties, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance and many other individuals and groups. 

More information will be coming soon. 

Interested in joining the team?  Email me at ljames@CitySquare.org.

Watch an informative video here.

100K Homes Campaign at CitySquare!

Join CitySquare and Common Ground for a Discussion on Homelessness and Housing

Communities across the country have joined the 100K Homes Campaign, which aims to find permanent housing for 100,000 of the most medically vulnerable homeless Americans by July of 2013. Together, these communities, including over 3,000 volunteers, are part of a growing movement and have already helped nearly 11,150 homeless people into permanent homes. Will Dallas be a part of this campaign? Join us for the conversation with a guest speaker and question and answer session. Click here to learn more about the campaign.

Speaker: Linda Kaufman, Eastern U.S. Field Organizer, 100K Homes Campaign

Linda has worked in homeless services in D.C. for over 25 years; most recently leading Pathways to Housing D.C. In addition to her work to end homelessness in D.C., she is also involved in other issues of social justice in the City. She was deeply involved in the District’s Housing First Initiative, overseeing street outreach, administering the Vulnerability Index, and providing one Permanent Supportive Housing team at Pathways for 150 tenants.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from 10- 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: CityWalk@Akard, 511 N. Akard Street; 3rd Floor, Glaze Community Room. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP: Lisa Ciminelli, Director of Social Work Services, CitySquare 214-828-2696, Ext. 127

Parking and Check-In Instructions: Parking is available for $5 in the lots behind our building. Check in at the front desk in the lobby and you will be escorted to the 3rd floor.

About CitySquare:
CitySquare exists to fight the root causes of poverty while partnering with those in need. Working together as a community, we feed the hungry, heal the sick, house the homeless and renew hope in the heart of our city. www.CitySquare.org

About Common Ground:
Common Ground’s network of well designed, affordable apartments — linked to the services people need to maintain their housing, restore their health, and regain their economic independence — has enabled more than 4,000 individuals to overcome homelessness. http://www.commonground.org/