QUESTION
How is the PATH monthly eligibility rate calculated, and were there any alterations in the calculation method from 2017 to 2022 to make the homeless crisis seem less severe?
1:35:55
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121 sec
The calculation method for the PATH monthly eligibility rate involves dividing the number of people found eligible by the total number of determinations made, and this method has remained consistent.
- The calculation method is based on the ratio of individuals found eligible to the total determinations made.
- The methodology has not changed; however, the previous administration manipulated the dates of eligibility to maintain steady rates.
- Families received unconditional placements during this period; no one was denied shelter.
- Commissioner Molly Wasow Park emphasizes the need for transparency and accurate data reporting, especially given the high family shelter population.
- An internal audit process is recommended to ensure accuracy and truthfulness in DHS's public data.
Diana I. Ayala
1:35:55
And DOE also investigated a separate allegation that DHS will eligibility data from June 17 2022 concluded they concluded that these efforts to downplay the eligibility rate made the home this crisis appears less severe.
1:36:08
How was path?
1:36:09
How was the path monthly eligibility rate calculated from 2017 to 2022.
Molly Wasow Park
1:36:15
So the eligibility rate calculation is the number of people who are found eligible divided by the number of people for whom any form of determination was made eligible, not eligible.
1:36:27
That is still the way that the calculation happens.
1:36:31
What excuse me, what was going on in the prior administration was that on any given day, the number of people who were found eligible was was changed.
1:36:43
So maybe there would have been these are hypothetical numbers.
1:36:45
I just want to be clear about that.
1:36:47
Right?
1:36:48
Maybe fifteen people, fifteen families, could have been made eligible that day in order to maintain a steady eligibility rate.
1:36:57
5 of those were held.
1:36:59
They were found eligible the stay.
1:37:02
So the calculation didn't change.
1:37:05
It was the date of the eligibility determination.
1:37:09
As I noted during that time period, families were unconditional placements Nobody was denied shelter, and the total number of people deemed found eligible for shelter did not change.
1:37:22
It was the date of the eligibility.
1:37:24
That doesn't make it right.
1:37:26
We should not change data.
1:37:28
We need more transparency, but I do want to just be clear about the impacts.
Diana I. Ayala
1:37:33
I appreciate that.
1:37:34
With DHS's family shelter population being at record highs, it's important for DHS to maintain accurate information about the circumstances and path.
1:37:43
DOI recommended that an internal audit process should be implemented to ensure that the data made public by DHS is accurate and truthful.
1:37:51
Obviously, you said that, you know, you would implement that.
1:37:54
I I believe you have implemented that.