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‘Waiting List to Nowhere’: Homelessness Surveys Trap Black Men on the Streets

Homelessness in America continues to be a major challenge, particularly for Black men, who are disproportionately affected by racial disparities in housing programs. A closer look at the system of vulnerability surveys reveals how these methods further entrench these inequalities.

The Struggle for Housing: Maurice Clark’s Story

Maurice Clark, homeless on the streets of Las Vegas, is one of the many Black men caught in the labyrinth of housing programs that promise support but often fail to deliver. One afternoon, Clark was approached by two outreach workers conducting a survey to determine his eligibility for subsidized housing. As they asked personal and invasive questions about his past experiences with drugs, jail, and health issues, Clark felt the weight of the situation.

“They had police with them,” he recalled, “and I’m a Black man in America. Asking these questions hits a little different when there’s officers right there.” His hesitation to fully answer the survey questions is shared by many others in his situation. For Clark, and others like him, the process can feel more like a trap than a lifeline.

Systemic Racial Disparities in Vulnerability Surveys

National experts argue that the vulnerability surveys, created to determine who is most at risk while homeless, may unintentionally exacerbate racial disparities. These surveys score individuals based on their health history, use of emergency services, and perceived vulnerability, helping decide who gets access to housing. However, this scoring system is flawed in ways that favor white applicants over Black ones.

homeless outreach workers Las Vegas

Experts point out that Black people make up 13.7% of the U.S. population but represent 32.2% of the homeless population. Meanwhile, white people, including some of Hispanic descent, make up 75% of the population but account for only 55% of the homeless. The design of these vulnerability surveys plays a major role in this disparity.

For instance, the survey prioritizes factors like frequent visits to the emergency room or past use of healthcare services, areas where white individuals are more likely to have had access. The system also relies heavily on trust in the authorities conducting the survey, a trust that is not always present in Black communities due to a history of racial discrimination.

How Vulnerability Surveys Became Standard Practice

The use of vulnerability surveys to determine eligibility for housing began in earnest after President Barack Obama signed a law in 2009 requiring local homelessness agencies across the U.S. to assess the vulnerability of individuals in order to allocate federal funding for housing programs. Known as Continuums of Care, these agencies were tasked with using a standardized system to prioritize individuals for housing based on their vulnerability scores.

In response, cities and counties across the country adopted the Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT), a survey that remains in use by around two-thirds of homeless agencies today. The VI-SPDAT, however, has been criticized for disproportionately favoring white applicants.

The Data: A Closer Look at Racial Disparities

The racial bias embedded within vulnerability surveys is backed by research, highlighting stark differences in how Black and white individuals are treated within these systems. Marc Dones, a policy director at the University of California-San Francisco and a lead researcher on homelessness, explains that Black individuals are far less likely to score high on the vulnerability surveys than white individuals.

According to Dones, “If you’re a white person, you’re more likely to rank higher and get selected for housing. It’s a systemic issue. The system was never designed to account for racial inequality.” As a result, Black men are left languishing on the streets longer, stuck in a bureaucratic system that often overlooks their needs.

The Racial Disparity in Housing Allocations

  • Black people are overrepresented in the homeless population.
  • White individuals are more likely to receive housing based on survey outcomes.
  • Vulnerability surveys often fail to address racial inequality, contributing to a cycle of homelessness for Black individuals.

Proposed Solutions and the Need for Change

Experts agree that systemic changes are needed to ensure a more equitable approach to homelessness surveys. Some have suggested revising the survey criteria to reflect a more accurate picture of the challenges faced by homeless individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities. Additionally, there is a growing call for greater community involvement and oversight in how these surveys are administered.

There is also a push for local governments to provide more transparency in how housing is allocated and to focus on addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as affordable housing shortages, mental health support, and addiction services. These changes could help address the disproportionate impact that homelessness has on Black men and other communities of color.

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