Census 2011: Making Sure Homeless People Count

The census provides essential information from national to neighbourhood level for government, business, and the community. The 2011 Census takes place on 27 March 2011.  Census staff dedicated to counting homeless people will need the co-operation of hostels and day centres and will give practical assistance to homeless people with questionnaire completion.

Homeless Link is working with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) who run the census, to help ensure that homeless people are included. A rich source of statistics, the census affects all of us in one way or another, as decisions about the communities we live in take place all the time, often using census data. Counting homeless people and rough sleepers is an integral part of building an in-depth, population map; after all the principle aim of a census is to include everyone.

Margaret Barrett, from ONS says: “Let’s not beat around the bush, this is a massively complex task, it’s not easy to count those who sleep rough or those of no fixed abode who often move from place to place. Still it is important that we count as many people as we can. In 2001 census collectors walked the streets on census night talking to the homeless and trying to count as many people as possible. But following in-depth research we’ve decided to amend this way of working for 2011.” As well as counting people living in hostels for homeless people, this time the census will count rough sleepers in day centre services.

Although precise arrangements will vary in different areas according to local needs, in general the following will take place: 

Hostels

In March 2010, special enumerators will arrange delivery to hostels of a pack of questionnaires for their residents, plus one A4 sheet for the manager to complete about the hostel. Special enumerators can be contacted by hostel managers to answer queries and assist as necessary if any problems are anticipated. Special enumerators will call round to collect completed questionnaires after census day.

Day centres

Census coordinators will be employed from 7 February 2011 to manage field work and they should contact day centre managers during the following weeks. They will explain the census and agree arrangements for the local enumeration at each day centre. Special enumerators will be guided by local expertise and deliver the questionnaires and offer assistance as previously agreed. They will work with day centre staff to achieve a positive response rate.

Held every ten years the census estimates the population of England and Wales, providing a snapshot of society on one specific day. Everyone is legally obliged to be included on a census questionnaire and special measures have been developed to make sure that homeless people and rough sleepers can complete their questionnaire in familiar surroundings with plenty of help at hand. Taking about 10 minutes to complete, the questionnaire includes information about where people are living, health, education and past employment.

Continues Margaret; “We’re doing everything we can to make sure homeless people have ample opportunity to fill-in their questionnaires. ONS is an independent body. We do not share any personal information with any government departments. Personal information will be kept confidential and is safeguarded by law.”

Further information

For more information please see www.census.gov.uk