Q&A WITH ADAM LUCK
One-night census count offers insights for addressing local homelessness
Q: What is the current situation regarding homelessness in Oklahoma City?
A: Overall homelessness has decreased by 22 percent since 2016, but unsheltered homelessness has increased by 47 percent, which is largely due to a decline in low-barrier shelter options. Low-barrier shelters accept people as they are and don’t have requirements surrounding sobriety, drug testing or long-term recovery. During the 2018 one-night census, the Point in Time Count, there were 1,183 people identified as homeless. The annual number for a community’s homeless population is estimated to be four to five times the number counted during the 24-hour period, meaning Oklahoma City’s number is between 4,732 and 5,915 people.
Q: What is the Point in Time Count, and how will it impact how the city addresses homelessness?
A: It is a real-time examination of the state of homelessness in Oklahoma City. During an annual one-night census, volunteers visit various encampments, meal sites, emergency shelters and other locations to count the number of men, women and children experiencing homelessness on any given night. For many who participate in the count, it is a life-changing experience that pushes them to engage in meaningful dialogue and action. In addition, it gives local service providers valuable data surrounding the issue of homelessness in our city and allows them to better understand and fill various needs.
Q: What should the community of Oklahoma City think about as we work together to provide relief to those living without shelter?
A: There are a number of service providers across the city who are connecting our city’s unsheltered population with vital resources that lead to life transformation. We encourage community members to continue empowering these service providers, focusing on providing low-barrier shelter options for our city’s most vulnerable and increasing the number of affordable housing units for those with low income. With intentionality, it is possible to address this issue and to end homelessness. It has been done in other cities across the U.S., and, we hope, by working together with other organizations and community members, the same can happen in Oklahoma City.