GIS for SOCIAL GOOD

She says gathering this geographic data brings a new perspective to the annual HUD PIT count.

“Having the data to tell our story is so important to finding solutions,” Solem says. “This app will help us tell where homeless individuals are located and what the housing needs are. You have to identify specific needs to identify specific solutions.”

App In Action

In January, Fogarty and two others accompanied 10 trained volunteers on a 3 a.m. Moorhead PIT count. They split into teams and conducted preliminary testing of the app, in order to make improvements for the January 2018 count.

Homelessness is somewhat hidden, yet prevalent issue. In Minnesota alone, 7,668 individuals were identified as homeless during a one-day Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandated point-in-time (PIT) count this past January.

In Moorhead and the 10 counties immediately surrounding it — all part of the West Central Minnesota Continuum of Care — the number of counted homeless individuals during this time totaled 215.

An app developed at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is helping gather more actionable data to aid in preventing homelessness and finding permanent housing for homeless individuals and families.

Gathering Actionable Data

Last year, MSUM graphic communications professor Alex Fogarty attended an Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) conference in San Diego, California. She was struck by the number of homeless individuals in the city, and the irony that within the conference were the geographic information system (GIS) tools to help organizations and individuals dedicating their lives to the issue.

Fogarty and Dr. David Kramar of MSUM’s Center for Geospatial Studies developed an ESRI and ArcGIS-based mobile application to assist local homeless organizations in their survey and count of unsheltered homeless in- dividuals in Moorhead. These organizations traditionally use paper surveys to conduct PIT counts.

“A web-based app brings modern-day, cutting-edge data analysis to these organizations, and offers up immediate actionable data,” says Fogarty. “Using the app on tablets or smart phones, the locations of homeless individuals and groups are instantly plotted on a web map that can then be cross-referenced with other data that’s either been collected at the same time, or from other databases.”

Carla Solem, a ’91 MSUM sociology alumna, is the continuum of care coordinator for the West Central and Northwest Minnesota Continuums of Care.

“It was a great experience to understand what and who the volunteers encounter,” Fogarty says. “Only one team encountered homeless individuals, but it was enough to provide a test of the app and ideas for enhancements not originally considered, such as adding geospatial information for volunteers to find locations known to be occupied by homeless individuals.”

“For the unsheltered count, we go into communities and try to find people who are staying in places not meant for human habitation — bridges, parks, doorways, abandoned buildings,” says Solem. “One trend the PIT has helped us see is we’ve had a significant decrease in veteran homelessness.”

During the 2017 count, Solem says they encountered no unsheltered veterans, where previous years they’ve seen up to 20. A declaration recently announced an end to veteran homelessness in the region.

“This doesn’t mean that no veteran will never be homeless again, but we have a system in place,” Solem says. “Our goal is [to find them shelter] within 60 days. If they’re housed, they’re going to be stable.”

Meanwhile, family and youth homelessness in the area is on the rise.

“The lack of affordable housing, financial resources, or a good support system can contribute to homelessness. The wrong circumstances com- ing together can cause anybody to become homeless,” Solem says.

Solem and Fogarty are passionate about bringing awareness to and dispelling misconceptions about homelessness.

“I hope this app will help us better understand our homeless population, the demographics of the population and the geography of the population, so we can respond to the need,” Solem says.

They’re using their respective skills and resources to ensure sustainable, affordable housing is available to all.

“Technology and research institutions, universities, for-profit companies and governmental agencies need to support these organizations,” says Fogarty. “If we don’t use technology to improve lives and our world, we’ve really missed an opportunity. This is where it can make a huge difference.”

How You Can Help

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week is November 11-19. Here are a few ways you can help the homeless in your community:

• Donate food, furniture, household items or money to area homeless shelters.

• Volunteer your time and talents by making or serving a meal, or donate your professional services (dental care, legal, fundraising, carpentry, tutoring, etc.).

• If you are an employer or property owner willing to give an opportunity to a homeless individual, contact a local program.

LEARN MORE:

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MSUM’s Geospatial Continuum of Care PIT Count app, and the ESRI and ArcGIS technology behind it, attend MSUM GIS Day Wednesday, November 15 in MSUM’s Comstock Memorial Union or visit mnstate.edu/geospatial.

LEARN MORE ABOUT homelessness in Moorhead and West Central Minnesota at homelesstohoused. com/west-central-mn-coc.