What is Vulnerability index?
The '''vulnerability index''' is a tool for finding out who among the street [[homeless]] population needs health care and housing the most.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/2061_file_Kanis_handout_vi101.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-09-25 |archive-date=2009-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106121337/http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/2061_file_Kanis_handout_vi101.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is being used in more and more cities in the USA. Volunteeers conduct a survey of people living in [[homeless]] shelters, [[warming centers]] and people who do not have any housing at all. The vulnerability index is from the work of Dr. Jim O'Connell of [[Boston]]'s Healthcare for the Homeless. He was concerned about the causes of death of unsheltered homeless individuals living on the street. A national drive is underway by [[Common Ground]] to work with the HUD homeless count. Since communities are doing the count, he believes that is a good time to do the vulnerability index too.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://breakingground.org/|title=Homepage - Breaking Ground|website=breakingground.org}}</ref> Its' people say that using it will help getting needy individuals off the street.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/programs/coc/ |title=Competitively Awarded Homeless Programs (Continuum of Care) - Homeless Assistance - CPD - HUD |access-date=2011-02-21 |archive-date=2007-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224145153/http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/programs/coc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The vulnerability index has been tried out in a lot of other places not just the [[East Coast]]. These include [[Charlotte, North Carolina]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/resources/vulnerability-index-fact-sheet |title=Vulnerability Index: Fact Sheet |access-date=2011-02-21 |archive-date=2010-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810140728/http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/resources/vulnerabilit