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Coordinated Entry
Homeless Services

VI-SPDAT Overview

WHAT is the VI-SPDAT?

The VI-SPDAT is an assessment used by our community, among many others, to measure vulnerability and housing needs.  The assessment is comprised of a series of personal questions about an individual or family’s history of housing and homelessness.  The responses help to determine the order in which people may be contacted for housing units filled from our community’s Housing Priority List.

WHO is the VI-SPDAT for?

The VI-SPDAT is intended for individuals or families sleeping primarily in emergency shelter, outside, or in a vehicle.  

WHY complete a VI-SPDAT?

The purpose of completing a VI-SPDAT, for those who are eligible, is to be placed on Dane County's Housing Priority List.  Depending on their needs, households on The Housing Priority List are eligible for one of two types of housing programs: Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing.  The two housing program types exist for both adults with no minor children in the household, as well as adults with minor children in the household.

WHEN can a person complete the VI-SPDAT in Dane County?

Individuals or households in Dane County experiencing seven consecutive nights sleeping in emergency shelter, in a vehicle, or outside, are eligible to complete the
VI-SPDAT.

WHERE is the VI-SPDAT completed?

VI-SPDATs are completed with a Coordinated Entry (CE) Homeless Services staff member or trained outreach worker.  Please see below for information about CE access points.

  • ADULT MEN ACCESSING PORCHLIGHT MEN'S DROP-IN SHELTER:

    • Please complete the assessment with CE staff at shelter or during afternoon CE hours at The Beacon (see details directly below)

  • ADULTS WITH OR WITHOUT MINOR CHILDREN SLEEPING OUTSIDE OR IN A VEHICLE:

    • Please complete the assessment with CE staff at the following location:
      The Beacon, 615 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
      Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm in Office 207

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  • ADULT WOMEN OR ADULTS WITH MINOR CHILDREN ACCESSING EITHER OF THE SALVATION ARMY'S SHELTERS:

    • Please complete the assessment with CE staff at shelter​

    • Ask shelter staff at the front desk about getting connected

  • YOUTH ACCESSING BRIARPATCH YOUTH SHELTER:

    • Please complete the assessment with Briarpatch outreach staff​

  • ADULTS ACCESSING DAIS EMERGENCY SHELTER:

    • Please complete the assessment with trained staff at DAIS​

BUT what about individuals in Dane County who are eligible for the assessment but not located in Madison?

Please contact Coordinated Entry Homeless Services at (608) 826-8019 or complete the CE Contact Form. 

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