Homelessness Myth vs. Reality - Tell Us About Your Experiences
Tell Us About Your Experience
Solving homelessness is made possible by collective participation from across our City. Please complete our brief survey to guage the impact of homelessness on Chattanoogans and inform decisionmakers of public preference for potential interventions. Results are anonymous, and findings are reported to the Office of the Chattanooga Mayor at the end of each quarter.
Reveal the Facts Behind These Common Myths
Reality:
While a very small number of people will voluntarily sleep outside even when other options exist, the vast majority of those experiencing homelessness do not choose to prolong their condition. It is important to remember that homelessness is exhausting, dangerous, and very traumatic. Overcoming homelessness-related trauma can take a lifetime and is often the first step in building the trust required to move someone into permanent housing. Framing homelessness as a choice wrongly allows us to ignore the suffering of our neighbors and the trauma they've endured.
Recent Trends in Local Homelessness
Context
The Point in Time (PIT) Count is one method used to measure the total number of people experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga on a single night in January. The Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and conducted by the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition. While research indicates the PIT Count method may result in an undercount, it significantly improves our understanding of where homelessness is trending.
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Phases
Hearing From the Public Q2
This survey is designed to guage the impact of homelessness on Chattanoogans and inform decisionmakers of public preference for potential interventions. The results are anonymous, and findings are reported to the Office of the Chattanooga Mayor at the end of each quarter.