By Doug Porter
The Regional Task Force on the Homeless is seeking over one thousand volunteers to assist in counting homeless individuals in San Diego on January 24, 2014.
The Point In Time Count (PITC) is an annual census effort encompassing both sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals. Data about locations and demographics is collected, enabling agencies in the San Diego region to better understand the scope, impact and potential solutions to homelessness.
The PITC is also crucial in that it supplies information essential to applications for funding to address homeless issues. Based on San Diego’s 2013 census, approximately 8,900
Communities across the
The Regional Task Force on
- Jan. 24 from 4:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. – Enumerators to count
unsheltered homeless persons in San Diego County - Jan. 24-27 availability times are flexible – Surveyors to conduct
interviews with homeless individuals in San Diego County
All training will be provided
“Eliminating homelessness in our community requires a complex understanding of our homeless population and factors that led to them being where they are,” said Dolores Diaz, Regional Task Force on the
Editor: Meanwhile, homelessness and hunger are on the rise in U.S. cities, say nation’s mayors.
Doug Porter
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Last year the count was off by 50%, leading to huge cash problems this year. The Lincoln Club successfully caused homeless to hide on count day. I write more in the Dec. 1 edition of the San Diego Homeless News at http://www.NZ9F.com/SDHN. John Kitchin, Publisher.
John, can you please explain further? I am intrigued but I am having trouble finding the Dec. 1st edition of SDHN. I was thinking of volunteering for this but after looking at the funding sources and the partner organizations, I have doubts. I am through wasting time and money on band-aids, and I am concerned that this is just another charity organization which provides a relief valve to compassionate and concerned citizens, in order to divert people away from fundamental, lasting, socio-political solutions. It raises a red flag for me that a federally mandated census is relying on a non-profit organization enlisting volunteers. Why is there no funding? How can you make something mandatory without providing adequate funding? I’m not necessarily saying it’s wrong, but it just seems weird. I’m wondering – is this the information-collection equivalent to food drives, which only soften the effects of a cruel and broken political/economic system, and do absolutely nothing to address the root cause? I have doubts about RTFH’s ability to accurately assess the number of homeless in the city, and I am curious as to how they intend to share this information and what kinds of solutions they have in mind. Are we collecting info on homeless people so we can provide it to the SDPD’s “Homeless Outreach Team”? (I’ve never seen this team at work but if I were homeless I don’t think I’d want them reaching out to me).
PS: John, are you saying that the actual number is closer to 18,000 homeless?
If the top-secret camps were audited, and the women in sex-housing were identified, and there was absolutely no privacy, I could definitely prove 100,000 homeless at this time. Dr. John Kitchin
Taking the census verifies what is generally accepted regarding the estimated numbers of San Diego’s homeless population, but what happens next? Does San Diego have a recognized “leader” or group with a plan of action after the census is taken?
Rachel Maddow, last night, reported that Phoenix, AZ has housed all homeless veterans within a targeted time period in that city:
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show
Phoenix mayor, Greg Stanton, (D), described how his local and federal government agencies, business and civil groups united to address finding homes for the veterans and how they expect to continue to assist them using specific aid programs. Similar programs are being implemented in Philadelphia, Salt Lake City and Washington, DC.
Helping San Diego’s homeless veterans is a start to helping the homeless population in general and perhaps contacting the Phoenix mayor’s office for guidelines and a plan of action would be a consideration. Could recognized leadership from among San Diego’s vast military retiree population be recruited? In a military/”company” town, a local government not actively seeking solutions to help homeless vets is shameful.