How to properly count Chicago’s homeless population

A man warms his hand by a fire near a homeless encampment in Chicago — A man warms his hands by the fire he created nearby a homeless encampment under a major interstate freeway in Chicago. City staff and volunteers recently completed a count of homeless people in Chicago.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

What’s the best way to count Chicago’s homeless population?

Last week, “point-in-time” counts were conducted in Chicago and other locations across the country. It’s an annual assessment of homeless people. But is that the best method to determine services?

A man warms his hands by the fire he created nearby a homeless encampment under a major interstate freeway in Chicago. City staff and volunteers recently completed a count of homeless people in Chicago.

By Max Lubbers

Chicago recently did its point-in-time assessment, but some advocates say the method underestimates the actual number of unhoused people. That’s a problem, they say, because the data point helps determine how much federal funding a city receives for homeless services and prevention.

Reset talks with a housing and homelessness policy expert about how this count works — and where the gaps exist.

GUESTS: Bob Palmer, policy director, Housing Action Illinois