Page 67 - IJPS-9-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Düsseldorfer Model for counting homeless people

2.1.1.2. Principle of professionalism was organized along with the collection of the number of
The social authorities and all agencies of the independent people staying in institutions (i.e., hospitals, police stations,
homeless support system were continuously and and shelters). Depending on their size, the social areas
consistently involved throughout the process of were walked or driven through by a team of two people.
preparing, implementing, and interpreting the results Each team consisted of a professional – a street worker or
(e.g., information on the current status of the scientific a specialist from the homeless support system or the social
monitoring gathered at regular meetings and by administration – and a volunteer. The volunteers were
distributing the protocol). To that purpose, a coordination not sought through public appeals or volunteer agencies
group was initiated that was open to all actors involved. but were approached individually by the participating
The count was planned within the group, while all other institutions.
actors were consistently informed at regular meetings. Count personnel were qualified to engage in the context
All counters participated in an information-sharing and of information events, equipped with count-related folders,
training session before the count. In that way, the quality and received a telephone number of the count office for
of the count was guaranteed. Again, all persons involved in emergencies. In the information-sharing event offered at
count were made aware of the count’s objective and thus various times both on-site and online, the counters were
that not the number analyzed but instead the follow-up informed about the counting method, their assignment to
perspectives resulting from it were what mattered. By the count areas, and the precautions to be taken during the
extension, both the quantitative and qualitative results count. Among other things, counters were instructed to
were analyzed by a group of the homeless support system, take a flashlight, not put themselves in danger, and take care
and needs for improving the living conditions of homeless of themselves by wearing warm clothing and taking warm
people were identified, along with recommendations for beverages with them. They were also advised, if possible,
the further development of the support system. to familiarize themselves with the count area in advance,
in daylight, to aid their recognition at night. Counters
2.1.1.3. Principle of the full count could also ask questions concerning their task. Each pair of
The night count completely covered the city of Düsseldorf, counters was given a folder with maps showing the specific
which was divided into count areas based on the city’s area for which they were responsible. Each folder also
sociospatial structure (Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, contained a count sheet asking the counters to report how
2017). The sociospatial knowledge of the professionals many people had been counted. The gender and age group
in the homeless support system and street workers was of each person counted could also be recorded on the
the basis of mapping to mark places within the count sheet based on estimates. It was also possible to indicate
areas where homeless people usually stay. Those places how many of the people counted were encountered in a
were color-coded on the counting documents issued, for couple and/or with dogs. However, no exact information
example, maps, so that personnel performing the count was provided on the location of the person recorded if they
knew that those places were locations where homeless were more than 18 years old and medical intervention was
people can typically be found. Assigned count areas with not required. Contact persons were available by telephone
more than one of those places were walked or driven past throughout the count.
by personnel familiar with the target group or who were In addition to the number of people counted, the
experienced in interacting with them. Each count area was numbers of postbox addresses were collected on the key
walked or driven past by pairs of counters containing a date by the 10 homeless support institutions in Düsseldorf
professional and a volunteer. that provide postbox addresses. Postbox addresses serve
as registration addresses for homeless people that are
2.1.2. Quantified count supplemented by the numbers made available to them by such institutions as long as
in institutions on a key date
they regularly retrieve the mail. In Germany, unlike in
To enable a full coverage count of homeless people in other countries, the authorities are unwilling to accept an
Düsseldorf, a key date was set for the count: October 28, email address as a means of contact; instead, a registration
2021. That date was chosen for two reasons. First, it is in address is generally required. Furthermore, the number
the fall and thus neither too cold nor too hot, unlike in of people receiving “unemployment benefit II” (ALG II)
summer or winter when homeless people tend to choose without housing costs was collected on the key date.
various different overnight locations; and second, the Within the framework of basic security for job seekers, the
yearly count conducted in some parts of the city since 1994 German Social Welfare Act II stipulates that, under certain
had also been conducted in late October (Plitt, 2021). On conditions, people can receive benefits for integrating into
that key date, counting in all 179 social areas of Düsseldorf work as well as for securing their basic needs. ALG II is

Volume 9 Issue 1 (2023) 61 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.397