Counting The Homeless

Some say it can't be done, but New York City is going to try anway.

1 minute read

February 26, 2003, 2:00 PM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Nobody said it was going to be easy. In fact, nobody had ever tried to tally the homeless population for the obvious reason that homeless people don't stay put long enough to be counted. But this year the city vowed to try anyway...The theory was that by taking 1,000 volunteers and sending them to places where the homeless are known to congregate, officials could count enough people to do a statistical sampling that would amount to a pretty good guess. Some advocates for the homeless said it would never work, but that didn't stop the city from trying.

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Wednesday, February 26, 2003 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Front of White House with stormy sky above.

How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning

An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.

January 19, 2025 - Planetizen

String lights across an alley in Cranford, New Jersey at night.

Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs

When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.

January 17, 2025 - Gabe Bailer - PP - AICP - NJ Urbanthinker

Black bollards lining a curved sidewalk next to a cobblestone street.

Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?

Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?

January 17, 2025 - MinnPost

Tall power line towers with blurred city lights in background.

How Microgrids Can Boost Community Resilience

Localized power grids, sometimes sourced from renewable sources, can make energy systems more resilient and reliable.

1 hour ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Tram and cyclist on Amsterdam street with sunrise or sunset in background.

Looking for the Light in a Dark Age

Professor Glenn Lyons offers insights about the challenges facing planners in times of rapid technological, cultural, and social change, in Local Transport Today's first ‘Deep Thinking Initiative’ article.

2 hours ago - Local Transport Today

Aerial view of Menlo Park in Silicon Valley, California.

Menlo Park to Develop Parking Lots Into Housing

The city will issue a request for proposals to build subsidized housing on up to three downtown parking lots.

January 23 - Palo Alto Daily Post

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.