-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Reporter Query, Texas
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:29:18 -0500
From: Cunningham, Mary
To: <wgselby@statesman.com>
FW: FW: Reporter Query,
I think the 11 percent is an underestimate, but it's unclear by how much.

I think that all of these numbers should be treated as rough estimates, not precision instruments.

In general, it's important to remember that there are far too many veterans who are homeless. 

On 12/28/2010 10:16 AM, Cunningham, Mary wrote:
>
> The AHAR differs in many ways than the previous estimates:  (1) it
> only counts those seeking services from shelter (not unsheltered) (2)
> it is an annual number, not a point in time estimate, which means that
> it does overestimate chronically homeless people, a large share of
> which are veterans; (3) it does not include homeless veterans in the
> VA system (shelters, transitional housing, etc.) and therefore is
> likely an underestimate. (4) finally, it is a more updated number, as
> I mentioned the earlier estimates came from data in the mid-90s; there
> appear to be less homeless veterans now, for many reasons, including
> better counts and an aging population (5) finally veterans do not
> always identify as such for various reasons.
>
> I think the AHAR is probably the best estimate, but it is likely an
> underestimate.  As I mentioned, I think Dennis Culhane has been
> working on updating this number and addressing many of the issues above.
>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gardner Selby [mailto:wgselby@statesman.com]
> Sent: Tue 12/28/2010 10:54 AM
> To: Cunningham, Mary
> Subject: Re: FW: Reporter Query, Texas
>
>   The figure in the latest AHAR is 11 percent, sheltered homeless, are
> veterans, though the report also has a 13 percent figure for veterans
> who are homeless. Stumps me why.
>
> W. Gardner Selby
> Editor, PolitiFact Texas
> Austin American-Statesman
>
> Visit our site: www.politifacttexas.com
> We're also on Facebook and Twitter and so am I as twitter.com/gardnerselby
> 512-445-3644
>
>
> On 12/28/2010 9:20 AM, Cunningham, Mary wrote:
> >
...
> >
> > The one in three homeless men is a veteran is a number the VA used to
> > cite.  I think it's outdated, as the numbers have changed
> > significantly since the mid-90s. (In part because data collection
> > methods have improved significantly). Another number is 1 in 4, found
> > here
> > (http://www.huduser.org/publications/homeless/homelessness/ch_2b.html).
> > This number is likely outdated as well.
> >
> > I think Dennis Culhane at the University of Pennsylvania may have
> > updated numbers.

...
> > Mary