HKS Government Performance Lab’s Post

A point-in-time count is a meticulously organized effort that involves volunteers canvassing various areas within a community to enumerate individuals experiencing homelessness on a specific day. This comprehensive endeavor is crucial because it directly influences the distribution of funding for continuum of care programs, which encompass a spectrum of services including transitional housing, supportive services, and permanent housing solutions like Section 8 vouchers. Additionally, the count informs government funding allocations for emergency shelters and other critical services tailored to address homelessness. Beyond funding considerations, the point-in-time count plays a pivotal role in generating accurate statistics and data on homelessness. These statistics offer invaluable insights into the demographics, trends, and needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, enabling policymakers, advocates, and service providers to develop targeted interventions and allocate resources where they are most needed. By capturing a snapshot of homelessness within a community, the count helps identify gaps in services, assess the effectiveness of existing programs, and shape policies aimed at preventing and ending homelessness. Moreover, the data collected during the point-in-time count serve as a cornerstone for advocacy efforts, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of homelessness and promoting sustainable solutions. By shedding light on the complex and multifaceted nature of homelessness, the count fosters greater understanding and empathy within communities, encouraging collective action and support for those experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Ultimately, the point-in-time count serves as a vital tool in the ongoing effort to build more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate communities for all individuals. #pointintimecount

During our workshop at the Housing California conference, we encountered a moment when an attendee inquired about handling media requests for comments on sensitive incidents, such as a crime involving a homeless individual. This sparked a broader conversation about the need for comprehensive toolkits and messaging guides tailored to the nuanced challenges advocates and service providers face in the discourse on homelessness. While existing resources do offer values-based messaging strategies, they often fall short of addressing the specific, complex questions posed by the community. For instance, when confronted with stereotypes or the growing connection to immigration, the suggested approach of seeking common ground can seem inadequate. Such guidance must be more specific and equip individuals with the robust responses needed to navigate these discussions effectively. Our experience highlights a significant gap in our collective efforts to support meaningful dialogue about homelessness. The reliance on values-based messaging, while well-intentioned, does not fully meet the needs of those engaging in these conversations. It becomes particularly evident when simplistic or prejudiced viewpoints are expressed, suggesting that individuals experiencing homelessness are merely lazy or should be relocated as a solution. Responding with generic appeals to community well-being does not address the root of these misconceptions. This realization calls for a concerted effort from the homelessness sector and those invested in narrative change to develop a more practical, accessible toolkit. Such a resource should empower advocates, service providers, and the general public to address the real questions and concerns they encounter with informed, nuanced responses. It's time for us to move beyond broad messaging frameworks and create tools that genuinely enable effective communication and understanding in the context of homelessness.

This is an issue that only is going to grow with no stabilization on the economy on the horizon and the still perpetuated myths about the homeless. As a country we are still being reactive rather than proactive. We need to reevaluate curriculum in schools to bring back vocational training, to focus on personal economics, life coaching and planning, resume writing, and so much more. Then addressing risk factors like substance use mental health, at risk for food insecurity. We also need to be educating landlords and property management companies about the myths of the unhoused.

Is taking unhoused people's tents the best we can do? Addressing the issue of homelessness by taking away the tents of unhoused people is a controversial and complex topic. Removing tents can be seen as addressing immediate concerns about public health and safety, but it does not solve the underlying issues facing those experiencing homelessness. Effective solutions require a holistic approach that includes: 1. Access to Affordable Housing: Providing a sufficient number of affordable housing options is crucial to prevent and reduce homelessness. 2. Comprehensive Support Services: Offering services such as mental health support, substance use treatment, job training, and healthcare can address the root causes of homelessness and support individuals in transitioning to stable living situations. 3. Prevention Programs: Programs aimed at preventing homelessness before it starts, such as rental assistance, eviction prevention, and support for those at risk, are essential. 4. Involvement of Community and Government: Collaboration between government agencies, non-profits, and the community can lead to more effective and compassionate strategies for addressing homelessness. 5. Respect for Human Dignity: Ensuring that actions taken to address homelessness respect the dignity and rights of unhoused individuals is vital. This includes involving them in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Removing tents without providing adequate alternatives does not address the complex needs of unhoused individuals or the structural issues contributing to homelessness. It's important to focus on long-term solutions that provide stability and support for those experiencing homelessness. #homelessness #unhoused #HumanDignity

"Los Angeles Implements AI to Combat Rising Homelessness" Los Angeles has introduced an AI-driven pilot program through its Homelessness Prevention Unit to proactively assist individuals identified as at risk of becoming homeless. This initiative comes as homelessness in California has surged by 30% since 2007, with over 181,000 people affected in 2023 alone. From 2018 to 2023, the state has allocated $24 billion to address this issue. Launched in 2021, the program has successfully aided nearly 800 individuals and families, with 86% of those who exited the program remaining in permanent housing. Participants can receive financial assistance ranging from $4,000 to $8,000. Dana Vanderford of the county's Department of Health Services highlighted one of the challenges: locating individuals and convincing them that the aid being offered is legitimate and not a fraudulent scheme. The initiative provides support for four months and conducts follow-ups at six, twelve, and eighteen months to ensure lasting stability. The predictive model, developed by the California Policy Lab at UCLA, leverages anonymized data from seven county departments including health, public benefits, and criminal justice records. This data helps predict individuals' risk of homelessness, enabling proactive support. Despite the benefits, there are privacy concerns, notably that de-identified data could potentially be re-associated with individuals using details like ZIP code, birth date, and gender. Research indicates that the average annual cost to taxpayers for a chronically homeless person is $35,578. However, this expense nearly halves when individuals are placed in supported housing, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and humanitarian benefit of such preventative programs. #HomelessnessPrevention #AISolutions #LosAngelesInitiative #SupportiveHousing #PredictiveAnalytics

New research reports! We carried out a research project, in partnership with CT Labs, that used Saskatoon as a case study to design solutions to better understand and estimate hidden homelessness at the municipal level. The findings from the research can help to deepen our collective understanding on the scale, needs, barriers, patterns and solutions to address the issue. They also provide insights that can help policymakers, community leaders, and service providers develop solutions that better respond to the concrete needs of people experiencing hidden homelessness. Key insights: • Hidden homelessness has a unique place in the housing continuum. It is often the last stop before street-level homelessness, where needs and trauma become even more complex, making it a critical point for intervention and prevention. • Evictions and low levels of income seem to be two of the most important factors causing people to lose their housing and then experience hidden homelessness. • Despite having shelter, the experience of hidden homelessness comes with a great level of uncertainty and risks for those who experience it. • Culturally competent and gender-sensitive care for people experiencing hidden homelessness is a key intervention point. • People who offer temporary accommodation usually provide assistance and support without the proper resources or tools to do so. • City-wide data collection is a key area of opportunity to better understand all forms of homelessness, including hidden homelessness. Explore our three reports that present our key findings, proposed solutions and policy recommendations: https://lnkd.in/e4J5R_c3

The release of the First-Ever Federal Homelessness Prevention Framework by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) represents a critical milestone in our national strategy to address homelessness before it begins. This 46-page actionable guide, titled “Ending Homelessness Before It Starts: A Federal Homelessness Prevention Framework," builds on the Prevention Solutions Pillar within the broader All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. The Framework outlines three essential goals for preventing homelessness: 1️⃣ Identify those at risk: Proactively recognize individuals on the verge of homelessness and provide targeted support to keep them housed or help them quickly transition into stable housing. 2️⃣ Tailor resources based on need: Ensure interventions are customized to meet the unique needs of at-risk individuals and families. 3️⃣ Scale programs effectively: Build programs that can grow to meet demand, ensuring broad access and long-term sustainability. At its core, the Framework rests on the pillars of Equity, Data and Evidence, and Collaboration—underscoring the importance of inclusive solutions, data-driven strategies, and strong partnerships across sectors to drive meaningful, long-lasting change. 🤝📊 As homelessness continues to rise in many communities, this Framework provides a timely and essential resource for policymakers, advocates, and service providers. Its focus on prevention, equity, and collaboration is especially vital as we work together to create proactive solutions that can make a real impact. 💡🏡 Explore the full guide and the accompanying blog series here: [https://lnkd.in/gafTceah) #HomelessnessPrevention #USICH #FederalStrategicPlan #EndHomelessness #EquityAndInclusion #CollaborativeSolutions #AllIn

In February, we will focus each week on highlighting and educating about barriers in overcoming homelessness. In the journey to overcome homelessness, one significant obstacle often prevents progress: the absence of a permanent address. A permanent address is more than just a location; it signifies stability, identity, and opportunity. Without it, individuals facing homelessness encounter countless challenges hindering their path to stability and independence. Having a permanent address is crucial for gaining access to necessary resources and support networks. It is crucial for securing employment, enrolling in education programs, accessing healthcare, and obtaining government assistance. However, for many experiencing homelessness, obtaining a permanent address can be a difficult task. The lack of a permanent address perpetuates the cycle of homelessness by making it difficult to secure employment, receive aid, and access services. It can also amplify social stigmas, further alienating individuals from society at large.  Recognizing the critical role a permanent address plays in providing stability and self-sufficiency is necessary in the fight against homelessness. In order to remove this obstacle, policies that promote affordable housing and expedite the permanent address application procedure are essential and impactful. By recognizing the significance of a permanent address and working towards inclusivity, we can create pathways to brighter futures for individuals experiencing homelessness.

With more than a quarter of a million people living unsheltered on any given night, the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass v Johnson decision, released today, will have an outsized impact on homelessness policy going forward. Homelessness is a complex issue largely driven by the growing scarcity of affordable housing, widening wage gaps, and deeply entrenched inequities across mainstream systems. With a shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental units and ballooning housing costs, 17,000 people become homeless for the first time each week, struggling to find a job, maintain basic hygiene, and secure housing. It is imperative that we reduce barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness - people who are effectively houseless - and not add to them. Instead of fighting the unhoused, we must fight the forces that deprive people of housing.   LeSar works closely with communities to implement solutions proven to address unsheltered homelessness, such as those that keep people housed, create permanent housing, and provide low-barrier services. Our staff has seen firsthand that when someone has a roof over their head and is given support to address mental, physical, and social determinants of health, they can heal and thrive. We will continue to work with communities on these solutions especially. #housingfirst #grantspass #housingcrisis #homelessness These proven solutions require long-term sustained investments and the political will that prioritizes them. Shifting the burden to law enforcement will not address the homelessness crisis; it will only further exacerbate the situation. Criminalization is especially pernicious in its impact on people of color, who are disproportionately represented among the homeless population. Black Americans, already bearing the brunt of systemic inequities, will continue to bear the unequal impact of citations, fines, and arrests. Where criminalization has been attempted as a potential solution, it has only led to temporary displacement of those in need to neighboring communities, increased policing and court costs, difficulties in providing the above-mentioned interventions to those who desperately need them, expanded trauma to those already suffering and ultimately increases in homelessness.   Homelessness requires multi-faceted, structural solutions.  We applaud communities that continue to invest in proven solutions and eschew tactics aimed at quick fixes that ultimately are not effective, and we will continue to facilitate cross-sector collaboration to address this challenge. It has been a privilege to support these approaches for the last two decades, and we will continue to do so with renewed commitment.       

How to create valuable homeless data insights By: Emily Vaughn Henry Gathering comprehensive data is essential for creating valuable insights into homelessness. This involves collecting data from various sources, including government agencies, nonprofits, research institutions, and community surveys. Key data points to gather include point-in-time counts, demographic information, housing affordability metrics, service utilization, and economic indicators. Analyzing trends and patterns over time is not just about numbers; it's about understanding the factors contributing to homelessness and informing intervention strategies. This may involve examining changes in eviction rates, rental prices, and service utilization over time. By doing so, we can empower ourselves with the knowledge to make a real impact. Geographic mapping can also provide valuable insights by visualizing the spatial distribution of homelessness, identifying hotspots, and identifying service gaps. In addition to quantitative data analysis, gathering qualitative data through interviews and focus groups with homeless individuals and service providers can provide deeper insights into the experiences and challenges faced by the people experiencing homelessness. Creating valuable insights into homelessness is a collaborative effort. It requires a comprehensive approach combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis, geographic mapping, and, most importantly, stakeholder input. By understanding the root causes and underlying factors contributing to homelessness, we can develop more effective strategies for prevention and intervention.