I'm normally not given to beginning Director's corner with lengthy quotes from the New York Times' city Room Blog, but this March 4 post regarding skepticism over that city's recent drop in homelessness just seems apt.
"You know, this is a little bit counterintuitive," said Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs, who oversees homeless programs. "how is it that, in this economy, with everything that's going on and all the need we see, with the recession, the loss of jobs, the instability in the housing market -- how is it that we can see such a dramatic drop, a 30 percent drop, in street homelessness this year compared to last?"
In 2007, the count was challenged by one of its own consultants, a columbia University professor who was hired by the city to help conduct the survey. The professor, Julien O. Teitler, said the city's methodology was flawed, producing a "nonscientific," unnaturally low number.
"What, Mr. Harris, does this have to do with anything here?" you might ask.
We plan to run a full story on this question in our next issue, but for now, be advised that the city of Seattle human Services Department and United Way of King county have asked the service providers they fund to help pony up 500 volunteers for an apparent do-over of the January One Night count.
Last year's count revealed a 15 percent increase in homelessness. This year, the count found a 68 percent increase in homelessness in South King county, with a 2 percent increase overall. While reasonable people may disagree, it appears that the mayor's policy of systematic campsite sweeps has perversely furthered the city goal of getting other King county municipalities to do more.
"There are three kinds of lies," said Disraeli. "Lies, damn lies, and statistics." More next week.