Homeless Vulnerability Index
A homeless vulnerability index (VI) is the brainchild of Dr. Jim O'Connell of Boston's Healthcare for the Homeless. It is motivated by research into the causes of death of unsheltered homeless individuals living on the street and the concomitant growth of warming centers. A national drive is underway by Common Ground to piggy back data collection for the VI onto the bi-annual homeless enumeration count mandated for communities participating in the Continuum of Care grant program of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.[1] Its' proponents contend that such demand side data will assist in placements and getting needy individuals off the street, whereas critics argue that it is intrusive and not likely to lead to increased supply of housing.