New phone app asks C.O. homeless one simple question

A new group, Stand Up, is taking a different approach to help the homeless in Central Oregon. They developed a smartphone app that asks one simple question. ‘What do you need right now?’

Jewel, a homeless Bend woman, answered the question this way Thursday:

“At this time of year, (we still need) warm coats and thick socks and warm shoes. And I have a pair of snow boots, but some people need them.”

Stand Up brought the app to Central Oregon Veterans Outreach about six weeks ago.

Tory Flory, COVO’s homeless outreach manager, says it’s different than current census-like surveys, which can overwhelm the subject or ask for personal information.

“Making it a one-question survey that a person can take daily provides information from day to day what that person who is experiencing homelessness needs in the moment,” Flory said.

Stand Up gave COVO a tablet to collect data in-house, and the group also sends volunteers out into the community. The real-time response recognizes ever-changing needs.

Jewel said necessities in the winter are very different than summer. Right now, her priority is having a phone.

“Emergencies, doctors’ appointments, calling for medical rides and just texting your family that is miles away. It’s important. Especially when you want to talk to your family, and you can’t do that,” she said.

“Free cellphone” is among the 16 choices, along with clothing, food and No. 1 so far, permanent housing.

“Knowing what people need right here (and) right now is the first step to being able to find those solutions to those needs,” Flory said.

The survey is still in Phase 1, which is 90 days of information gathering.

“The information that’s gathered by the Stand Up project is going to be shared through all of the non-profit community,” Flory said.

“Regardless of what aspect that specific non-profit is working with, they’re going to be able to utilize that information to hopefully develop programs that will help in the future,” he added.

The survey can be taken at COVO, through Stand Up volunteers or with any device with Internet access. You can find it at www.oregonhouseless.org.