What does it measure?

The number of people entering homelessness for the first time is a critical factor impacting the size of the homeless population. In Alameda County we would like to see fewer people becoming homeless from one year to the next. A steadily declining number of people becoming homeless for the first time would indicate increasingly sustainable communities and foreshadow an end to homelessness.

How does it measure?

HUD System Performance Measure 5 counts the number of people who entered emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing programs during the year and subtracts all those who had another project entry within the prior 24 months. For more information see the most recent System Performance Measures: Data Submission Guide from HUD.

First time homeless is measured annually.