Homelessness Playbook

Chapter 3: How to Conduct an Intake Step 1: Identify if a person is in a homeless situation Not everyone homeless appears that way. Here are questions you can ask if you see signs of homelessness.

“How are you doing?” ● Introduce yourself and ask them their name.

“Do you have anywhere to go?” ● If the answer is yes, ask them if you can make a phone call to assist them in returning there. If not, see the next question.

“Do you have access to food?” ● If the answer is no, use your center’s community resource guide to find the information.

“Are you interested in going to a shelter?” ● If so, refer them to United Way’s 211 or you can use your center’s community resource guide to find the information for a local homeless services provider to find out where the nearest shelter is. ● If they say no, do notfeel the need to push, it is the person’s choice to go to a shelter. Some people do not want this option and they cannot be forced. If you see the same person often and ask them every time you see them, they may answer no, but when someone is ready to go to a shelter, they will go.

“Have you been in a shelter recently?” ● Sometimes people go to a shelter and leave, they can no longer stay if they are not compliant with the program requirements (such as attendance) or they successfully moved out of shelter into housing and things happen that result in their homelessness. ● If someone was recently in a shelter, ask if they remember the name of the place or the name of the person they were working with. If they remember it, ask if you can help them make a phone call back to that place to see if help can be provided. Get a release of information with the shelter listed so you can continue to keep in contact with them.

“Do you feel safe?” ● If the person responds that they do not feel safe, get to a place where you can make a nonemergency phone call to the local police department. Let the dispatcher know your location and that it is not an emergency but that you are speaking with a homeless person and they are in an unsafe/compromising position and they need help. ● Tell them you need their help and do not know who else to call. They may be able to send an officer out or they might be able to get you in touch with a service provider that has an outreach team to come and meet with the person you are trying to assist.

“Does anyone know you are out here?” (family, friend, outreach worker, caseworker?) ● If they say yes, again ask if you can help them make a phone call. If they refuse, it may be because they are not interested or feel they cannot reconnect with the person they know.

Remember, do not place yourself in a situation that could lead to something dangerous. Use your best judgment and do not force yourself or your help on someone. If you see or encounter 6