A new tracking system has been adapted to demonstrate the scope and need of homeless populations in Eugene and throughout Lane County.
Unlike the Point in Time count in January, which captures a 1-day snapshot, the new Homeless By Name List creates a bigger picture of the problem. It’s meant to better identify and understand homelessness on a month-to-month basis. Information is garnered from service organizations that work directly with unsheltered populations.
Sarai Johnson is the Joint Housing and Shelter Strategist between the city and the county--the first in history. She said the “By Name” List more clearly identifies where resources should go.
“What it does allow us to see is how many people are flowing into and out of the system, as it is," said Johnson. "And also gives us more insight and will allow us to test solutions, try interventions and see what those impacts are in much more real time.”
Johnson said the numbers tend to hover between 4,100 and 4,500 people at any given time accessing services for homelessness.
