Shelter and Homeless Housing: Using Data to Understand Homelessness

As Homelessness becomes a permanent urban fixture and no longer tied to only poverty and economic down turns but substance abuse and mental illness, the role of data in understanding the enormity of the problem that can inform solutions at housing and policy making levels is very critical. There is no methodological consensus on counting homeless people and identifying their needs; therefore, in most cities only estimated homeless populations are known. At this session, learn from researchers on data and homelessness, both qualitative and quantitative at a national and state level. As designers, having an understanding of our homeless population can help us find innovative solutions to providing adequate types of shelters and housing for ever changing demographics.

Presenters:
Riordan Frost, Research Analyst, The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
Thomas Byrne, Associate professor & Charles River Campus advisor Boston University School of Social Work

Shelter & Homeless Housing Co-chairs:
Juann Khoory AIA / [email protected]
Samuel Maddox RA / [email protected]