Addressing Racial Disparities in Homelessness Vulnerability Surveys

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Vulnerability surveys like the VI-SPDAT prioritize white individuals over Black homeless people.
The VI-SPDAT was initially tested in a predominantly white, male population.
Systemic racism contributes to the disproportionately high rates of homelessness among Black Americans.
Flaws in the VI-SPDAT scoring system fail to adequately capture the vulnerabilities of Black individuals.
Changes to vulnerability surveys must challenge the systemic barriers faced by Black Americans.
A complete overhaul of homelessness assistance is necessary to promote racial equity and justice.

Racial Disparities in Homelessness Vulnerability Surveys: A System Designed to Fail Black Americans

Vulnerability surveys, often seen as a way to prioritize housing help for homeless folks, show racism in action. The Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) is a big part of this problem. This innocent-looking tool increases racial imbalances, keeping Black men on the street while giving white individuals more housing help.

The VI-SPDAT’s scoring favors things like healthcare use and system trust. This setup helps white individuals more and harms Black homeless people. Because white individuals often score higher in vulnerability due to consistent healthcare use, they get assistance first. Many Black individuals, without such healthcare access due to lack of insurance, score lower on the assessment. (SOURCE: ‘Waiting list to nowhere’: Homelessness surveys trap Black men on the streets)

The Origins of VI-SPDAT: A Faulty Start

The problems with VI-SPDAT began early. Made with Community Solutions, it was first tested in Boston. The initial group was mainly white males facing mental illness or drug problems. This focus didn’t represent the range of homeless experiences, especially those of Black Americans, who often face homelessness due to economic issues.

A 2019 report showed the VI-SPDAT scores don’t fairly assess different racial groups. The scoring favors issues more often reported by white people, which impacts real-life outcomes. A 2020 study found Black men scored lowest in vulnerability, sidelining them for housing support. (SOURCE: Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (JD-VI-SPDAT; ‘Waiting list to nowhere’: Homelessness surveys trap Black men on the streets

Systemic Racism and Homelessness: An Endless Cycle

The racial differences in these surveys aren’t isolated but part of a larger pattern of racism in housing. African Americans are 13% of the population but 37% of the homeless. Historical and ongoing racism has continually blocked Black Americans from equal housing and economic chances.

By focusing on health issues, the VI-SPDAT ignores the challenges Black homeless people face. Many Black Americans are less likely to share health problems because of past bias in healthcare. The system doesn’t account for their justified lack of trust in institutions that have discriminated against them. (SOURCE: ‘Waiting list to nowhere’: Homelessness surveys trap Black men on the streets)

Understanding Vulnerability Surveys: Tools with Unintended Consequences

Vulnerability surveys are meant to identify and prioritize homeless individuals for housing assistance. These tools assess factors like health issues and risk of harm. The goal is to help those who are most in need secure housing quickly. However, despite good intentions, these surveys often produce unfair outcomes.

One such tool is the Vulnerability Index, created to rate the fragility of a person’s health. It focuses on health problems that increase mortality rates among homeless people (Homeless Vulnerability Index – Wikipedia). Yet, this focus can disadvantage those who have limited access to healthcare. Consequently, individuals who haven’t had medical attention might seem less vulnerable on paper.

Additionally, tools like the Vulnerability Assessment Tool rate a person’s functioning level and risk of victimization. While they aim to assign housing to those most at risk, they can miss the unique challenges faced by certain groups. Therefore, these assessments might not capture the true vulnerability of all individuals (Vulnerability Assessment Tool – DESC).

The VI-SPDAT: A Biased Tool in Practice

The Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) is widely used to quickly assess homeless individuals. It categorizes clients as having high, moderate, or low needs to prioritize housing interventions. Designed for communities with limited resources, it doesn’t require special training (Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool).

However, the VI-SPDAT has significant flaws. It tends to favor those who have frequent interactions with healthcare systems. Black individuals, who often face barriers to healthcare access, may score lower as a result. Thus, the tool inadvertently prioritizes white individuals who are more likely to report chronic health issues due to regular medical visits.

Moreover, the VI-SPDAT doesn’t account for the economic factors that lead to homelessness among Black Americans. Since it was initially tested on a specific population, it fails to capture the diverse experiences of homelessness. As a result, many Black individuals remain underserved by this assessment.

Barriers to Healthcare and Their Effect on Vulnerability Scores

Higher rates of uninsurance among Black Americans lead to limited healthcare utilization. This lack of medical history negatively impacts their vulnerability scores. Without documented health issues, the assessment tools don’t recognize their true needs. Consequently, they may be deemed less vulnerable and receive lower priority for housing.

Several barriers contribute to this disparity. Systemic racism in healthcare creates mistrust among Black individuals. Historical injustices, such as unethical medical studies, have left lasting scars (Systemic And Structural Racism: Definitions, Examples, Health). As a result, many avoid seeking medical care even when needed.

Additionally, economic disadvantages limit access to healthcare services. Without insurance or the means to pay for medical care, many go without treatment. This absence of healthcare interactions means fewer documented health issues, which lowers vulnerability scores.

The Impact of Incarceration on Homelessness

Incarceration significantly affects homelessness among Black individuals. Being jailed often leads to job loss and housing instability. Upon release, barriers to employment and housing due to a criminal record further increase the risk of homelessness (Systemic And Structural Racism: Definitions, Examples, Health).

The justice system disproportionately incarcerates Black Americans. This systemic bias adds another layer of difficulty in securing stable housing. Furthermore, time in jail can contribute to untreated health conditions and mental health issues. Yet, these health problems may not be documented, again affecting vulnerability assessments.

By not considering the impact of incarceration, tools like the VI-SPDAT miss vital aspects of vulnerability. Addressing these gaps is essential to create fair assessments that reflect the real challenges faced by Black individuals experiencing homelessness.

Moving Toward Equitable Solutions

Some communities are seeking new ways to assess vulnerability that address these disparities. For instance, integrating factors like incarceration history and the effects of gentrification can provide a more accurate picture. Additionally, the use of technology, including artificial intelligence, is being explored to enhance assessments.

Artificial intelligence can analyze large datasets to identify hidden patterns. It might help reduce biases by providing consistent evaluations. However, without careful design, AI can also perpetuate existing biases if it relies on flawed data (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction).

Local governments play a crucial role in implementing these changes. They can support new assessment methods and allocate resources to address systemic issues. Through policy changes and community engagement, they can help create fairer systems for everyone.

Challenging the Status Quo: Urgent Changes Needed

The problems with VI-SPDAT require more than just fixing. They demand a complete change in how we tackle homelessness and housing help. Some states are updating these surveys to reduce racial differences. These efforts include using technology and considering issues like prison time and gentrification.

However, these changes don’t go far enough. We need to question a system that continues racial unfairness. This means reshaping our approach to homelessness and focusing on Black Americans’ obstacles.

Calling for Fairness in Homelessness Support

The racial differences in VI-SPDAT aren’t random but show a deeply flawed system. These tools, meant to aid the most in need, uphold current racial hierarchies, leaving Black Americans in cycles of homelessness while benefiting white individuals.

Moving forward, it’s vital to focus on Black homeless people’s experiences in our efforts to combat homelessness. Revising assessment tools is necessary, yet tackling the underlying racism in housing issues is equally important. Only by breaking down these oppressive structures can we hope to build a fair system of housing help for all.

This struggle against racial differences isn’t just about fixing a broken tool. It’s about changing the very roots of a system that fails Black Americans. We must push for a complete reshaping of efforts on homelessness, one that puts racial equality and justice front and center at every step.

FAQ

Q: What are vulnerability surveys and how do they affect Black Americans?
A: Vulnerability surveys, like the VI-SPDAT, are designed to prioritize housing assistance for homeless individuals. However, they exacerbate racial disparities by favoring criteria that benefit white individuals, effectively trapping Black individuals in homelessness.

Q: Why is the VI-SPDAT considered biased?
A: The VI-SPDAT’s scoring system is biased as it prioritizes factors like healthcare usage, which disproportionately favors white individuals. Black individuals often have less access to healthcare, impacting their scores and leading to their deprioritization for housing assistance.

Q: What historical factors contribute to the overrepresentation of Black Americans in homelessness?
A: African Americans have been historically denied equal access to housing, education, and economic opportunities due to systemic racism, leading to their overrepresentation in homelessness despite comprising a smaller percentage of the general population.

Q: What changes are being proposed to address these disparities?
A: Some states are revising vulnerability surveys to reduce racial disparities by incorporating systemic issues like incarceration and gentrification. However, a complete overhaul of the approach is needed to effectively challenge racial inequities.

Q: What is the main goal in addressing the flaws of the VI-SPDAT and similar tools?
A: The primary goal is to challenge systemic racism in homelessness assistance and ensure that the experiences of Black homeless individuals are centered, ultimately creating a more equitable system for all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.