Needs
Assessment Methodology
Introduction
The purpose of the needs assessment of homelessness in the South Okanagan is to gain
an understanding of characteristics and needs of homeless persons in the South
Okanagan. This will be profiled
against the demographic and economic profile of the communities included in the study as well as the perspectives of service
providers who currently assist homeless persons.
The United Nations definitions of “homeless” and “At
Risk of Homelessness” were used as a source to create the definitions used for this study. The United Nations categorizes homelessness as being “Absolute” or “Relative”. Absolute homelessness refers to living on the streets, in parks, in vehicles, on crown
land, on beaches or in other locations where they do not have physical shelter suitable for continuous habitation. Relative homelessness refers to living spaces that do not meet basic health and safety
standards including protection from the elements, access to safe water and sanitation, security of tenure, personal safety
and affordability. This includes persons who are couch surfing or temporarily
living with friends, relatives or other acquaintances.
A series of studies on homelessness conducted in communities in the Interior of British Columbia were reviewed in preparation
for this study. These studies were conducted in Nelson (2002), the West Kootenays (2002), Vernon (2003), Kelowna (2001), and Kamloops (2001). A review of the various methodologies used, the instruments utilized, the
results of the studies and the recommendations of those studies assisted in determining the methodology for this study.
Design
Drawing on the Community Oriented Needs Assessment Model (Neuber, 1980), the study will gather data from three
sources:
- A review of secondary data sources (demographic statistical
profiles).
- A survey of homeless and at-risk individuals
in the South Okanagan.
- A survey of organizations providing services to the homeless in the South Okanagan.
The secondary data review will include data gathered from various sources including Statistics Canada, BC Stats and
the Interior Health Authority. The purpose of completing this review will be
to provide a demographic and economic profile of the communities of the South
Okanagan.
The survey of homeless and at risk persons will be conducted over a two week period in all of the communities of the
South Okanagan (Oliver,
Osoyoos, and Okanagan Falls). The survey will involve one-to-one interviews with homeless persons
utilizing a survey instrument developed specifically for the study. The purpose
of the survey will be gain a snapshot of the characteristics of homeless persons and persons at risk of homelessness in the
South Okanagan.
The survey of service providers will be conducted over a two week period utilizing a survey tool also developed specifically
for this study. The survey will be anonymous and respondents will have the option
of completing it on-line or on paper. The purpose of the survey will be to complete
an inventory of both formal and informal services available to homeless person in the South Okanagan and to identify gaps in services. This inventory will also be used to create a new pamphlet of resources and supports available to homeless
person and those at risk of homelessness in the South Okanagan.
Measurement Instruments
The survey tools were developed by the evaluation sub-committee of the project’s Stakeholder Committee. Survey tools used in similar studies of homeless in the Interior of British Columbia
were utilized as references in the development process. The survey of homeless
or at-risk person will be piloted with a small sample of homeless persons identified by the Homelessness Outreach Worker. The survey of service providers will be piloted with members of the stakeholder’s
committee. In addition, a cover letter for the service provider survey has been
developed, explaining the purpose of the survey and how the information will be used.
A similar explanation will be given to homeless and at risk persons at the beginning of survey interview and are included
in the header of the survey tool.
Sampling
A snowball sampling technique will be utilized to gain access to individuals who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness
in the South Okanagan. The Homelessness Outreach Worker for the project will be the primary interviewer and
she will utilize the contacts she has made over the first two months of the project to begin the sampling. The stakeholders committee will also be used as a source of initial contacts for the sampling. All of the persons approached to participate in the study will be persons identified either through these
key contacts or persons suggested by interviewees. The sampling will stop once
no new contacts are being identified.
At the suggestion of members of the stakeholder’s committee and homeless persons consulted in the development
of the survey, a $10 cash “Thank You” contribution will be provided to all those who participate in the study. This is recognition of the time involved for the interviews and the contribution that
participants are making. This contribution will not be used as a ‘lure’
and will not be included in any literature or advertising.
A number of sources will be used to access a thorough sample of service providers including contacts made by the Homelessness
Outreach Worker, a pamphlet of free and low cost services available in the South
Okanagan from 2001, and input from the stakeholders committee.
Privacy & Confidentiality
The survey tool for homeless and at risk persons does not collect any identifying data such as name, address,
telephone number, birth date or exact age. However, sensitive information is
being collected that could theoretically identify a person who is member of an identifiable sub-group and who lives in a small
community. Therefore, all completed surveys will be stored under double lock
and key. Once all surveys are completed, they will be entered into a database,
the information provided will be aggregated for analysis, and the original survey instruments will be destroyed.
