San Diego Homeless Assessment - PATH

Project Overview
PATH typically conducts surveys in the communities in which it serves in order to assess the neighborhood and design housing strategies.
PATH Street Outreach Team and SDPD Homeless Outreach Team conducted surveys in Downtown San Diego on May 17 th and 18 th .
Surveys used contained 36 questions identifying key factors determining homelessness in the area.
The PATH Outreach Team offered $5 Subway gift cards as an incentive for their cooperation.
© People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Project Overview – Team Picture © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Interview Methodology
3 or more team members, made up of PATH Outreach Staff and San Diego Police Department Homeless Outreach Team
Covered designated boundaries within downtown area – the Core Area.
Counted sectors on first day and conducted surveys on the second
Asked each person encountered to participate

Core Area Homeless Count © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 Red = 1 Person Yellow = 2-4 Persons Green = 5-8 Persons House = Encampment, tents. (unknown number of persons) Actual count at 5:00 AM May 17, 2010 Actual: 246 People Assessment: 275-300 Persons

Interview Questions
Demographics
Health Risk Indicators
Institutional History (prison, foster care, medical)
Employment, Benefits, and Citizenship
Alcohol & Drug usage
Questions specific to the San Diego Area

Interview Results
43 interviews attempted
38 interviews completed (15.4% of total population in Core Area)
5 refusals due to varying factors

Interview Results
50% of those surveyed have only been homeless in the City of San Diego
Average length of time in San Diego: 19 years.
92% responded that they normally sleep in Downtown San Diego

What cities have you been homeless in? © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Length of Homelessness © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 Longest Length of Homelessness = 20 years Average length= 3.85 years

High needs population
66% report a serious health condition; 45% with no health insurance.
42% abuse drugs and alcohol.
50% dealing with mental health conditions

Serious Health Condition © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Health Insurance © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Health Services Utilized © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Mental Health Issues © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 (Self-reported responses from the population surveyed.)

Age © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 Average Age is 43 years old (National avg lifespan for homeless person is 55 yrs) Ages ranged from 18 - 66

Race and Ethnicity © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Gender © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Circumstances leading to Homelessness © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010

Veterans © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 Of the 8 veterans surveyed (21% of total), 6 were discharged honorably.

Incarcerated in Prison (Felony criminal record) © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 Average time spent in prison = 8 years

History of Foster Care © People Assisting The Homeless May 2010 Note: Average across other cities assessed by PATH approx 9%

Key Findings in the Core Area
The majority are chronically homeless (Avg 4 years on the streets)
Population indigenous to San Diego (19 yrs in SD, either housed or homeless)
32% have family members in SD
People are staying within the Core Area
People in the Core Area are more housing-ready than others. (45% are eligible for subsidized housing immediately)
Majority have high needs (health & mental health)
45% are women

A Special Thank-You to:
San Diego Police Department Homeless Outreach Team
ALPHA Project Outreach Team

San Diego Homeless Assessment - PATH

by Reuben Rail

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