Global InformationHomeless Vulnerability Index information
The Vulnerability Index is a survey and analysis methodology for "identifying and prioritizing the street homeless population for housing according to the fragility of their health".[1][2] It is a pragmatic methodology based on concern and inquiry into the reasons for recurring fatalities of homeless living in the outdoor urban context. It was developed by Jim O'Connell of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.[3]
According to its proponents, his work succeeded in pinpointing the health problems that led to homeless persons being "most at risk for dying on the street". He lists eight conditions, in medical terminology called "markers". According to Common Ground, a national organization to house the homeless, 40% of the Boston mortality was attributable to those factors.[3]
In its formulation as currently promulgated by Common Ground, the index includes these factors: hospitalizations/emergency department visits in a year, age, HIV-AIDS, liver disease or kidney disease, history of frostbite, immersion foot, or hypothermia, and tri-morbidity. Tri-morbidity is co-occurring disorder (psychiatric, substance abuse) with a chronic medical condition.[4]
A national drive is underway by Common Ground to piggy back data collection for the VI onto the bi-annual homeless enumeration count mandated for communities participating in the Continuum of Care grant program of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.[5] Its proponents contend that such demand side data will assist in placements and getting needy individuals off the street, whereas critics argue that it is intrusive and not likely to lead to increased supply of housing.[6]
The Vulnerability Index has been used outside of the north eastern United States. Cities include Charlotte, North Carolina,[7] Albuquerque, New Mexico, Santa Monica, California.[8] Los Angeles, California, Santa Barbara,[9] California, New Orleans, Louisiana,[1] and Chicago, Illinois.[10] By June 2011, it had also been deployed in various cities in Australia.
- ^ a b "Vulnerability Index: Prioritizing the Street Homeless Population by Mortality Risk" (PDF). endhomelessness.org.
- ^ "Homeless Vulnerability Index". MedicBD Health. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012.[circular reference]
- ^ a b Ibid
- ^ "Co-occurring Disorders". NMHA.
- ^ LLC, Common Ground. "Common Ground".
- ^ "Competitively Awarded Homeless Programs (Continuum of Care)". Hud.gov. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007.
- ^ "Vulnerability Index: Fact Sheet". March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on August 10, 2010.
- ^ "Vulnerability Index".
- ^ A Brief Preview of Registry Week
- ^ "Chicago Central Referral System Assessment Tool".