Investigate data and/or indicators that could better represent homeless populations

[BethMattern]

Reference Kameron's Colonias document

[emma-nechamkin]

Also include:

• Percent of RENTERS households in a census tract that are both earning less than 50% of HUD Area Median Family Income by county and are spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs.

• Plumbing

[emma-nechamkin]

Notes on homelessness from the census

The census does count people experiencing homelessness but these are service-based enumeration (so it's visiting soup kitchens, scheduled food vans, and emergency / transitional shelters). The distribution of this enumeration appears to be non-uniform (see: http://nationalhomeless.org/publications/DownfortheCount_CensusReport.pdf). As a consequence, here, we'd be looking at SBE estimates or group quarters (institutional - other) for this population (I believe, will check in with census team).

In order to address colonias -- Fannie Mae publishes a database of tracts spanning CA, NM, TX, AZ: https://www.fanniemae.com/about-us/what-we-do/homeownership/duty-serve/colonias-investment-areas-research

HUD also publishes point in time (PIT) estimates of homelessness; these also have tradeoffs.

Right now, I'm skipping evaluating the indicator of people experiencing homelessness.

[emma-nechamkin]

From 2010 Census docs:

Service-Based Enumeration (SBE) was designed to account for the enumeration of persons without a usual
residence that use service facilities (i.e., shelters, soup kitchens, and mobile food vans). In the 2010
Census, 3 days (March 29–31) were designated for these enumeration activities. Different types of facilities
were designated for different days. Only persons using the service facility on the interview day were
enumerated at that location. It was possible for people to be counted in more than one location due to
use of different facilities on subsequent days. There is an unduplication of SBE persons for the purpose of
minimizing this duplication.

People experiencing homelessness could also complete a Be Counted form and check the box indicating
this status. To the extent that such persons could be associated with a state and county based on the
information provided on the form, they will be counted at a Group Quarters within that state and county.
Certain areas were designated for Enumeration at Transitory Locations (ETL). These included RV parks
and marinas where people were living as of Census Day if people living in these locations had no other
permanent place to stay. The locations where ETL took place were designated in GQAV. When people were
enumerated in ETL, the particular location was considered a housing unit. 

https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2010/technical-documentation/complete-tech-docs/summary-file/gqsf.pdf