Question: If my client has a high VI-SPDAT score, they are chronically homeless and will be placed high up on the Housing Priority List, right?
Answer: This is a common misconception. The VI-SPDAT score measures vulnerability, but it has nothing to do with chronicity. Chronicity is solely determined by the length of time of the client in homelessness and a Certification of Disability.
In fact, you could have three clients with identical high VI-SPDAT scores, and each might not only be in different positions on the HPL; they could even have different P numbers:
- P10 – He does not have a Certification of Disability (non-chronic).
- P-5 – She has a Certification of Disability but only two months of homelessness (non-chronic).
- P1 – They have a Certification of Disability and have been on the street for 14 months (chronic).
