A recent WBIR feature story about Knoxville’s growing homeless population includes statistics from the 2016 Knoxville Homeless Management Information System (KnoxHMIS), a project of the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) in UT’s College of Social Work.
The project has developed an online database, updated annually, that tracks demographic details about individuals experiencing homelessness in Knoxville and Knox County, as well as information about services provided.
Through its Community Dashboard on Homelessness, SWORPS provides data to 20 community service organizations that serve those experiencing homelessness.
“Data collection in KnoxHMIS is critical to care coordination for persons experiencing homelessness,” said Lisa Higginbotham, program manager for KnoxHMIS. “The shared data enables services to be delivered more efficiently and quicker, and eliminates duplication of services.”
WBIR’s videos cover the extent of the problem, what is being done to help those who are homeless, and how viewers can help.