Abstract
Although an accurate, up-to-date set of data on homelessness is essential for effective planning and implementation of policies on this issue, obtaining such data remains rather difficult. Street homelessness is among the hardest to grasp, and participatory street counts with a large number of citizen volunteers have recently emerged as a popular way of collecting data and deepening knowledge on local street homeless population in cities across the world. This study aims first to review the recent emergence of this large-size participatory survey and then compare actual street counts conducted in four world cities: New York, Sydney, London and Tokyo. With a focus on its participatory nature, the study concludes that a street count is not just a survey but serves as an opportunity where local citizens get education and ensure the transparency and legitimacy of policy processes from which an effective solution can be made.
