This dataset includes Point-in-Time (PIT) data collected in Cambridge between 2012 and 2017. The PIT count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on a single night in January. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that communities receiving funding through the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program conduct an annual count of homeless persons on a single night in the last 10 days of January, and these data contribute to national estimates of homelessness reported in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to the U.S. Congress. This dataset is comprised of data submitted to, and stored in, HUD’s Homelessness Data Exchange (HDX).

This dataset includes basic counts and demographic information of persons experiencing homelessness on each PIT date from 2012-2017. The dataset contains four rows for each year, including one row for each housing type: Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, or Unsheltered. The dataset also includes housing inventory counts of the number of shelter and transitional housing units available on each of the PIT count dates.

Information about persons staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing units is exported from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which is the primary database for recording client-level service records. Information about persons in unsheltered situations is compiled by first conducting an overnight street count of persons observed sleeping outdoors on the PIT night to establish the total number of unsheltered persons. Demographic information for unsheltered persons is then extrapolated by utilizing assessment data collected by street outreach workers during the 7 days following the PIT count.

Index of public-facing analysis projects that use Cambridge data

Cambridge election results from the March 1, 2016, Presidential Primary. This dataset contains presidential preference and state committee results for the Democratic, Republican, Green-Rainbow, and United Independent party races. It also contains ward committee results for the Democratic and Republican parties. This dataset is not official; for official results, visit the Cambridge Election Commission website at https://www.cambridgema.gov/election.

The dataset contains vote results for all City Council agenda items in which a roll call vote was taken, starting in January of 2018.

The Cambridge City Council uses two different voting methods: voice votes and roll call votes. During a voice vote, all those in favor of a motion verbally vote “yes” simultaneously, and then all those opposed vote “no” simultaneously. During a roll call vote, each Councilor votes “yes” or “no” in turn. Voice votes are more common and are not recorded in this dataset. The Council tends to rely on roll call votes for City Manager’s agenda items related to fiscal and budgetary topics (e.g., how much money to allocate to a department or program). Please read the limitations section of this metadata form to avoid misinterpretations of the data.

To learn more about Council meeting operations, please refer to the Rules of the City Council: http://www.cambridgema.gov/~/media/Files/citycouncil/20162017rulesofthecitycouncil.ashx

To learn more about the parliamentary voting procedures generally, please refer to Robert’s Rules of Order:
http://www.rulesonline.com/rror-08.htm

This dataset contains the original final vote tally from 2013 Cambridge City Council election. The City Council comprises nine members and is the Cambridge's lawmaking body.

Proportional Representation (PR) is the method by which voters in Cambridge elect members of the City Council and School Committee. In a PR election you may vote for as many of the candidates listed on the ballot as you wish, but you must rank the candidates in order of preference. This ensures minority representation with majority control.

The vote count begins with the sorting of ballots by the first preference shown on each valid ballot. That is the NUMBER 1 vote on each ballot. This is generally known as the "First Count". Any candidates who reach the necessary quota with Number 1 votes are declared elected. During the 2013 City Council Election, the quota was 1,775 votes. Any extra ballots they receive beyond the quota are redistributed to the candidates marked next in preference (the number 2 preference) on those excess ballots. The count continues with the elimination of those candidates receiving fewer than fifty votes in the first count. Their ballots are redistributed to the other candidates according to the next preference marked. After each distribution, the candidate now having the lowest number of votes is eliminated and his/her ballots redistributed to the next indicated preference (number 2,3,4 etc.) As candidates reach the quota through the addition of redistributed ballots to their totals, they are declared elected and no further ballots are transferred to them. This process continues until all candidates have been eliminated except the nine winners for City Council.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.cambridgema.gov/election/programsandservices/cambridgemunicipalelections

This dataset contains information related to The Cambridge Arts Council’s Grant Program from 2007 to present. It includes the names of all individuals and organizations Cambridge Arts has supported through the grant program since 2007, the year(s) each applicant received funding, the name of each proposed project, the granted amount, the type of grant, the project category, and the city each recipient is based out of.

Based on the Dogs of Cambridge dataset. This dataset displays the name, breed, and approximate location of dogs in Cambridge. It is based on dog license data collected by Cambridge's Animal Commission.

Please note that this location has been geomasked to protect privacy. Locations are only approximate.

View full metadata
https://www.cambridgema.gov/GIS/gisdatadictionary/Landmark/LANDMARK_PublicSchools

Description
This layer contains point features of all Cambridge public schools. Created for general use by City staff. Used for both mapping and specific identification of buildings with a similar use. Also used by emergency responders for evacuation and if the school is a designated shelter.

About Edit Dates
This data is automatically updated on a set schedule. The Socrata edit date may not reflect the actual edit dates in the data. For more details please see the update date on the full metadata page or view the edit date within the data rows.

View full metadata
https://www.cambridgema.gov/GIS/gisdatadictionary/Boundary/BOUNDARY_Zipcodes

Description
This Polygon layer contains the boundaries of the five United States Postal Service (USPS) ZIP code areas in the city of Cambridge.

About Edit Dates
This data is automatically updated on a set schedule. The Socrata edit date may not reflect the actual edit dates in the data. For more details please see the update date on the full metadata page or view the edit date within the data rows.

This dataset lists information about public programs and events offered by community-based organizations, city agencies, and educational institutions that serve people who live or work in Cambridge, MA. The information is created by the organizations that input their information into the Find It Cambridge website. This dataset includes useful information about their events and programs.