Professional Documents
Culture Documents
why a campaign on
homelessness
In the foundations most recent listening tour,
community members said there is too much
homelessness, hunger, lack of safety and lack of access
to basic medial care.
Starting point of homelessness because housing
provides constancy to address other needs
Increase awareness and understanding
Build will, moving people to act to help address
these needs
what is
campaign goals
Help move Metro Denver residents to regard
homelessness as a priority issue
Capitalize on increased awareness and
understanding by motivating more people to speak
up and take actions that alleviate the underlying
causes of homelessness
Shift the view so that people in Metro Denver who
experience homelessness are viewed by others, and
regard themselves, as valuable members of our
community
more about
the campaign
homeless
experience
grassroots
network
data
grassroots
communication
&massmedia
why a
Methodology
Telephone interviews with 812 voters across the seven-county Denver
Metro area
Interviews conducted January 14-22, 2015
Interviews in English and Spanish and on landlines and wireless
phones
Bipartisan research team of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz &
Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R)
Base sample of 612 voters regionwide, with oversamples of 100
additional African-Americans and 100 additional Latinos
All data statistically weighted to reflect the true ethnic composition of
the regional electorate
Total samples and margins of sampling error include:
N=612 voters regionwide: +/- 4.0%
N=122 African Americans: +/- 8.9%
N=158 Latinos: +/- 7.8%
7
Boulder
Broomfield
Denver
Jefferson
Adams
Arapahoe
Douglas
Recognition of the
Problem of Homelessness
9
25%
34%
22%
13%
12%
24%
Low wages
13%
22%
11%
24%
14%
26%
28%
Income inequality
High taxes
27%
23%
17%
22%
36%
Domestic violence
9%
21%
41%
Crime
Panhandling
8% 15%
5%
0%
10%
5%
35%
32%
31%
31%
32%
50%
40%
35%
21%
19%
11%
26%
80%
29%
22%
15%
43%
60%
38%
37%
5%
28%
37%
20%
18%
39%
9%
5%
23%
45%
45%
9%
45%
Homelessness
5%
28%
42%
17%
60%
21%
38%
22%
11%
16%
35%
26%
Ext./Very
Ser. Prob.
24%
34%
25%
DK/NA
100%
Q2. I am going to read you a few things some people say are problems or issues affecting their communities today.
Please tell me whether you personally think it is an extremely serious, very serious, or somewhat serious problem or if is it
not a problem at all in the city or town where you live.
10
25%
34%
17%
13%
22%
11%
24%
9%
0%
34%
38%
20%
41%
40%
Ext./Very
Ser. Prob.
11%
60%
18%
19%
60%
45%
16%
23%
42%
21%
DK/NA
27%
28%
Low wages
Domestic violence
80%
5%
35%
5%
35%
11%
29%
100%
Q2. I am going to read you a few things some people say are problems or issues affecting their communities today.
Please tell me whether you personally think it is an extremely serious, very serious, or somewhat serious problem or if is it
not a problem at all in the city or town where you live.
11
Somewhat Serious
Not a Problem/DK/NA
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Adams
Arapahoe
Boulder
Broomfield
Denver
Douglas
Jefferson
(13%)
(20%)
(12%)
(2%)
(21%)
(11%)
(21%)
(% of
Homeless*) (9.2%)
(8.4%)
(14.6%)
(0.7%)
(55.8%)
(10.5%)
(0.8%)
(% of
Sample)
Q2a.
*Percent of Total Homeless Population in Metro Denver. Source: Point in Time Survey, 2014. Metro Denver Homeless
Initiative.
12
Somewhat Serious
Not a Problem/DK/NA
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
(% of
Sample)
$0-$20,000
$20,000$40,000
$40,000$60,000
$60,000$75,000
$75,000$100,000
$100,000+
(9%)
(12%)
(15%)
(11%)
(13%)
(24%)
Q2a. I am going to read you a few things some people say are problems or issues affecting their communities today.
Please tell me whether you personally think it is an extremely serious, very serious, or somewhat serious problem or if is it
not a problem at all in the city or town where you live. Homelessness
13
Extremely serious
9%
Very serious
Somewhat serious
Ext./Very
Serious
22%
31%
36%
32%
Don't know/NA
20%
Smwt./Not
a Problem
68%
38%
3%
Smwt./Not
a Problem
41%
1%
1%
0%
Ext./Very
Serious
38%
58%
20%
40%
60%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Q2a. I am going to read you a few things some people say are problems or issues affecting their communities today.
Please tell me whether you personally think it is an extremely serious, very serious, or somewhat serious problem or if is it
not a problem at all in the city or town where you live.
Q3. Thinking about the Metro Denver region as a whole, how much of a problem do you think homelessness is in the
region: extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious, or not a problem at all?
14
20%
Very serious
Somewhat serious
After Information
Ext./Very
Serious
38%
58%
38%
3%
Don't know/NA
22%
Smwt./Not
a Problem
41%
36%
2%
Smwt./Not
a Problem
38%
1%
1%
0%
Ext./Very
Serious
39%
61%
20%
40%
60%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Q3/Q11. Thinking about the Metro Denver region as a whole, how much of a problem do you think homelessness is in the
region: extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious, or not a problem at all?
15
Perceptions of Who
is Homeless & Causes
16
Veterans
5%
Men
6%
African-Americans
10%
Native-Americans
66%
37%
35%
21% 23%
Teenagers
35%
Whites
29%
The elderly
[VALUE]
17%
25%
39%
33%
18%
39%
19%
Women
38%
17%
Asian-Americans
70%
80%
Q7.
+64%
+60%
+27%
+14%
+2%
-7%
-12%
-14%
-15%
-20%
-21%
-68%
69%
21%
Latinos
Difference
Higher
60%
40%
20%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
17
18
Usually
Sometimes
Unemployment
27%
32%
26%
31%
Mental illness
22%
22%
Low wages
25%
24%
15%
22%
14%
22%
0%
Q6. *Split Sample.
20%
Almost
Always/
Usually
59%
57%
42%
53%
37%
10%
47%
10%
41%
5%
38%
54%
7%
37%
57%
5%
36%
40%
40%
DK/NA
40%
45%
25%
14%
Never
36%
31%
16%
Rarely
60%
14%
80%
100%
19
Usually
15%
19%
*Irresponsible behavior
14%
18%
Lack of education
11%
Sometimes
6%
21%
8% 9%
*Laziness
8% 8%
Bad luck 7% 8%
0%
11%
20%
16%
19%
30%
54%
20%
32%
34%
42%
40%
21%
60%
80%
32%
14%
63%
61%
Almost
Always/
Usually
34%
10%
50%
38%
DK/NA
13%
55%
13%
Personal choice
Never
47%
Rarely
10%
17%
10%
16%
9%
15%
100%
Q6. I am going to read you some things people have said cause homelessness. Please tell me if you think it is almost
always, usually, sometimes, rarely, or never part of the reason that people are homeless. *Split Sample.
20
Unemployment
59%
43.9%
Substance abuse
57%
31.9%
Mental illness
53%
Relationship/Family break up
28.2%
47%
Mental illness
21.3%
13
Relationship/Family break up
19%
Substance abuse
18.9%
The Point In Time Survey, conducted by Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, provides an annual report on homelessness in
Metro Denver. *Poll respondents replied these were almost always or usually the reasons that people are homeless.
21
27%
Not so difficult
Not difficult at all
2%
0%
Don't know/NA
1%
0%
10%
Q4.
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
22
Personal Engagement
with the Issue
23
Yes
43%
No
52%
DK/
Refuse/
NA
6%
Q18.
24
Have
Not/DK
69%
Thought
They Might
18%
Demographic Group
All residents
African-Americans
HH Income <$20,000
residents of Color
Not Working
Have Had Homeless
Friends or Family
Non-College
Educated Men
High School Educated
Latinos
Ages 30-39
HH Income
$40,000-$60,000
Men Ages 18-49
Fathers
Q16.
Q17. Asked only of those who have experienced homelessness
Have
% of
Experienced Sample
13%
30%
27%
25%
24%
100%
4%
9%
15%
15%
23%
43%
23%
20%
23%
22%
20%
18%
9%
18%
20%
15%
19%
19%
26%
12%
25
8%
A few weeks
15%
About a month
19%
Several months
37%
A year or more
20%
Don't know/NA
1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
26
In a car
36%
34%
In a shelter
14%
Somewhere else
8%
On the street
6%
Don't know/NA
3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
27
36%
Divorce/Family issues
Couch surfing/No stable place/
Month-to-month renter
Young person on my own
29%
17%
15%
Low finances
10%
6%
Medical issues
3%
Other
12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
Q16B. Open-Ended; Top Responses Shown; Asked only of those who have experienced homelessness (N=37)
40%
28
21%
Acknowledge person
38%
30%
Something else
9%
Don't know/NA
2%
0%
Q5.
10%
20%
30%
40%
29
Support for
Potential Solutions
30
DK/NA
1%
Could be
solved
25%
Improved
but not
solved
64%
Unlikely to
improve
11%
Q8.
31
Some Resp.
Government
Major/
Some Resp.
33%
6% 5%
89%
37%
7%
89%
No Resp.
56%
53%
Charitable organizations
49%
47%
43%
44%
49%
39%
Police
18%
47%
Businesses
17%
52%
DK/NA
A Little Resp.
You personally 7%
40%
7%
91%
88%
14%
65%
9%
68%
76%
18%
56%
20%
92%
9%
22%
64%
12%
0%
20%
5%
25%
60%
80%
12%
63%
100%
Q10. A number of different people and organizations may have some part to play in addressing homelessness. For each
of the following, please tell me whether you believe it should have a major responsibility for addressing homelessness,
some responsibility, a little responsibility, or no responsibility for addressing homelessness.
32
34%
20%
19%
14%
9%
8%
7%
7%
7%
6%
3%
3%
3%
Other
Dont know/Nothing/Refused
15%
11%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
33
Smwt. Supp.
Smwt. Opp.
52%
42%
39%
44%
32%
33%
43%
50%
0%
20%
Total Total
Supp. Opp.
7% 8%
84% 14%
11% 6%
81% 17%
10% 12%
76% 22%
11% 9%
76% 20%
12% 14%
73% 26%
32%
DK/NA
Strg. Opp.
23%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Q12a/b/c/d/e/f/g/j/k/l/m. Here are some specific actions people have suggested that government could take to help
address homelessness. Please tell me if you support or oppose government doing each of these in Metro Denver. ^Not
Part of Split Sample
34
Smwt. Supp.
30%
30%
27%
27%
20%
24%
34%
40%
22%
57% 41%
15%
57% 39%
19%
24%
45%
33%
60%
Total Total
Supp. Opp.
68% 31%
19%
19%
33%
19%
DK/NA
12%
35%
15%
0%
Strg. Opp.
38%
21%
Outlaw panhandling
Smwt. Opp.
80%
5%
43% 53%
39% 58%
19% 78%
100%
Q12a/b/c/d/e/f/g/j/k/l/m. Here are some specific actions people have suggested that government could take to help
address homelessness. Please tell me if you support or oppose government doing each of these in Metro Denver. ^Not
Part of Split Sample
35
Smwt. Supp.
Smwt. Opp.
55%
27%
44%
32%
35%
36%
30%
0%
20%
Strg. Opp.
38%
40%
DK/NA
Total Total
Supp. Opp.
8% 8%
82% 16%
10% 12%
76% 22%
11% 14%
5%
68% 31%
12% 19%
60%
80%
71% 25%
100%
Q12b/c/h/i. Here are some specific actions people have suggested that government could take to help address
homelessness. Please tell me if you support or oppose government doing each of these in Metro Denver. Split Sample
36
Very Lkly.
Smwt. Lkly.
61%
16%
51%
16%
38%
34%
29%
0%
20%
14%
11%
14%
40%
67%
52%
18%
45%
26%
43%
22%
80%
77%
64%
24%
34%
60%
Already
Done/
Very Lkly.
11%
29%
28%
DK/NA
14% 10%
22%
6% 10%
58%
Unlkly.
100%
Q13. Here are some actions that individuals could take to help address homelessness in Metro Denver. Tell me if it is
something you would be very likely to do to be clear, not just an idea you LIKE, but something you would be very likely
to DO somewhat likely to do, or unlikely to do. Split Sample.
37
27%
Very Lkly.
Smwt. Lkly.
28%
17%
37%
13% 18%
9%
0%
40%
34%
37%
31%
31%
28%
19%
57%
19%
48%
32%
12%
58%
29%
20%
Already
Done/
Very Lkly.
36%
34%
22%
17%
DK/NA
29%
32%
13%
20%
Unlkly.
40%
60%
80%
100%
Q13. Here are some actions that individuals could take to help address homelessness in Metro Denver. Tell me if it is
something you would be very likely to do to be clear, not just an idea you LIKE, but something you would be very likely
to DO somewhat likely to do, or unlikely to do. Split Sample.
38
Identifying Key
Values & Themes
39
Moveable Middle
Supporters
44% of Respondents
32% of Respondents
24% of Respondents
Republican Men
Asians/Pacific Islanders
African-Americans
Democratic Men
Ages 75+
Boulder County
Republicans
Democratic Women
residents of Color
Ages 40-49
Broomfield County
Democrats
College-Educated Women
Ages 18-29
Ages 65+
Denver County
Independent Women
Dads
Ages 18-29
Retired
HH Income $40,000-$60,000
residents of Color
Douglas County
Latinos
Ages 18-49
Republican Women
Jefferson County
Moms
Men
Ages 50+
Not Working
40
Smwt. Conv.
63%
29%
92%
51%
37%
88%
51%
35%
87%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
Q14. Here are some statements from people who believe individuals and local governments should do more to address
homelessness in Metro Denver. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not
convincing as a reason to support such efforts.
41
Very Conv.
Smwt. Conv.
51%
(HUMAN RIGHT) Safe shelter is a basic human right that should not be
denied to anyone in our communities. We need to commit the resources
to make sure everyone has a safe place to call home.
45%
35%
79%
43%
39%
82%
20%
33% 84%
44%
40%
60%
78%
80% 100%
Q14. Here are some statements from people who believe individuals and local governments should do more to address
homelessness in Metro Denver. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not
convincing as a reason to support such efforts.
42
Themes
The data suggest four themes that will be critical in public will building
around homelessness:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Too many Metro Denver families are homeless. Residents do not think of the
homeless as families, but as single men. Messaging that reframes the issue
as one affecting families is highly effective in building support.
Homelessness can affect anyone. Many residents have experienced
homelessness themselves; have feared that they would; or have a friend or
family members who have. Messaging which stresses that circumstances can
leave our loved ones homeless has an impact.
The homeless deserve our compassion. Denver Metro residents show many
signs of compassion for homeless people: most say they acknowledge or
assist homeless people they meet, and have given money time, or material
support to help the homeless. Messaging appealing to this instinct is effective.
We owe help to those trying to help themselves. Many Metro-area residents,
but particularly conservatives and seniors, respond strongly to messaging
which notes that homeless people must work to better their own circumstances
but that we must all contribute to helping them succeed.
43
next steps