Laura Littlepage

Since 2007, Researcher Laura Littlepage has partnered with the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention (CHIP) to coordinate and conduct the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of those experiencing homelessness in Marion County, Indiana. CHIP mobilizes, advocates, and empowers community collaboration towards ending homelessness. Students in Littlepage’s course, “Do the Homeless Count,” collaborate with community organizations to collect data for the PIT Count.

The PIT Count data are used to inform policymaker, service providers, and local agencies on the issue of homelessness. The cross-sector collaboration and student engagement in the PIT Count has multiple benefits to the community. Benefits include A) trend data and analysis on the issue of homelessness, B) raised awareness of the issue of homelessness, C) increased visibility of serve agencies, and D) student volunteers.

Laura Littlepage’s work to provide trend data and analysis on the PIT count in Indianapolis to policymakers and local agencies is another example of how IUPUI faculty are TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.