
RDS Mobile: An Open-Source App for Homeless Data Collection and Research
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in a location on a single night. Surveys are often used by governments and research organizations to understand the needs of unhoused populations and are critical for the PIT count. However, current existing versions of the PIT count are labor-intensive and often undercount populations in inaccessible locations. In 2023, our sponsors developed a new data collection method for the count that utilizes Respondent Driven Sampling, leveraging unhoused individuals’ social networks to collect data and estimate population size/demographics. The deliverable of this capstone project is a customizable, open-source, and easy-to-use survey app that meets the needs of all stakeholders of the PIT Count. Our implementation enables scanning referral QR codes, generating and completing new surveys, and printing linked referral codes using tablets and portable printers.
Arushi Agarwal
Devanshi Desai
Kaden Kapadia
Aryan Palave
Hrudhai Umas
Elizabeth Deng
Hannah Lam
KelliAnn Ramirez
Jasmine Vuong
Ella Weinberg