DeKalb awarded for innovation in homeless survey

DeKalb County is being honored for its use of mapping technology during this year’s snapshot of people who were homeless.

The DeKalb Geographic Information System Department received awards this month from both the National Association of Counties and Esri, a company that supplies mapping products.

Both organizations recognized DeKalb for using a cellphone app called GeoForm that allowed users to enter data, attach images and pinpoint locations of each person surveyed, eliminating the need for paper and allowing for greater accuracy.

DeKalb’s homeless count provided an assessment of the extent of homelessness in the county, which helps the county provide services to those in need.