Point in Time Count Workshop Mobilizing PiT Count Results Stephen Gaetz Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Professor, Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto, Canada Point in Time Count Workshop Module 7 – Mobilizing Results

Part 1 The uses of RESEARCH

Part 1 The uses of RESEARCH!

Four Uses of Research Conceptual Instrumental Symbolic Process

Conceptual research Contributes to the: “subtle but potentially weighty shifts in knowledge, understanding and discourse, can be hugely significant in policy and practice settings, not just as a means to more instrumental impacts from research but as an end in themselves.” (Sandra Nutley).

Conceptual research

Instrumental use of research This refers to situations where research can be seen to have a direct and concrete impact on decision-making and actions by policy-makers and practitioners. Typically focuses on existing policies and practices Often involves program evaluation research that answers the questions: What works, for whom and in what contexts?

Hierarchy of Evidence

A good example . . .

Symbolic use of research . . . involves using research results in the public realm to legitimate and sustain arguments, strategies and positions.

Symbolic use of research

Process use of research . . . engaging in the research process (through program evaluation, for instance), can lead to changes in ways of thinking, alter attitudes about the use of research and raise questions about the value of different kinds of knowledge and evidence.

Uptake Use Impact ‘the ways in which research affects society are based on complex, iterative, self-reinforcing processes, distributed unequally across research initiatives ’ (Molas-Galart 2000 : 172).

Research Evidence Matters!

Part 2 Mobilizing PiT Count Data

things you can do with data

Understanding the local context 1 Understanding the local context 1. Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration among the diversity of groups and researchers involved in homelessness across Canada. 2. Knowledge Mobilization: Make existing research on homelessness more accessible and reduce the geographical, sectoral, and socio-economic divisions that impede knowledge exchange. 3. Public Engagement: ‘Make research matter’ by exploring ways that research can more effectively engage the general public, policy makers and other decision-makers in the homelessness sector.

Data analysis

Sub populations Mapping the problem Key issues seniors youth Indigenous people women Newcomers Key issues Level of Chronicity Service priorities of clients? Substance use Do services match subpopulations?

2 Tracking progress 1. Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration among the diversity of groups and researchers involved in homelessness across Canada. 2. Knowledge Mobilization: Make existing research on homelessness more accessible and reduce the geographical, sectoral, and socio-economic divisions that impede knowledge exchange. 3. Public Engagement: ‘Make research matter’ by exploring ways that research can more effectively engage the general public, policy makers and other decision-makers in the homelessness sector.

You’ve got to be careful, because if you don’t know where you are going, you might not get there.” Yogi Berra

A count tells us how we are doing. Your first count provides a baseline Additional counts enable you to measure progress Trends amongst sub-populations

Are you trending upward or downward?

Some communities are seeing real reductions in homelessness Vancouver – 66% reduction in street homelessness since 2008 Calgary – 11% reduction since 2008 Edmonton – 30% reduction since 2008 Lethbridge – 55% reduction since 2010

Support local planning 3 Support local planning 1. Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration among the diversity of groups and researchers involved in homelessness across Canada. 2. Knowledge Mobilization: Make existing research on homelessness more accessible and reduce the geographical, sectoral, and socio-economic divisions that impede knowledge exchange. 3. Public Engagement: ‘Make research matter’ by exploring ways that research can more effectively engage the general public, policy makers and other decision-makers in the homelessness sector.

Helps establish, measure & evaluate community priorities

Do your systems and services adequately address the needs of the homeless population?

4 Engaging the Public 1. Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration among the diversity of groups and researchers involved in homelessness across Canada. 2. Knowledge Mobilization: Make existing research on homelessness more accessible and reduce the geographical, sectoral, and socio-economic divisions that impede knowledge exchange. 3. Public Engagement: ‘Make research matter’ by exploring ways that research can more effectively engage the general public, policy makers and other decision-makers in the homelessness sector.

Reporting out

Dealing with the media

Community engagement 1. Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration among the diversity of groups and researchers involved in homelessness across Canada. 2. Knowledge Mobilization: Make existing research on homelessness more accessible and reduce the geographical, sectoral, and socio-economic divisions that impede knowledge exchange. 3. Public Engagement: ‘Make research matter’ by exploring ways that research can more effectively engage the general public, policy makers and other decision-makers in the homelessness sector.

Enhance understanding at a 5 Enhance understanding at a NATIONAL LEVEL 1. Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration among the diversity of groups and researchers involved in homelessness across Canada. 2. Knowledge Mobilization: Make existing research on homelessness more accessible and reduce the geographical, sectoral, and socio-economic divisions that impede knowledge exchange. 3. Public Engagement: ‘Make research matter’ by exploring ways that research can more effectively engage the general public, policy makers and other decision-makers in the homelessness sector.

Aggregating Data NATIONAL REGIONAL LOCAL The more communities that participate, the more effectively we can tell the story of homelessness at a NATIONAL REGIONAL LOCAL level Knowing who the homeless are, where they can be found, and what their socio-demographic, health, housing, and systems interaction needs are can significantly increase a community’s ability to take action to ending homelessness An estimated 150,000-300,000 Canadians are homeless (Laird, 2007); though no national count has ever been implemented; Only X cities are implementing counts currently;

Comparing Results The benefits of Knowing who the homeless are, where they can be found, and what their socio-demographic, health, housing, and systems interaction needs are can significantly increase a community’s ability to take action to ending homelessness An estimated 150,000-300,000 Canadians are homeless (Laird, 2007); though no national count has ever been implemented; Only X cities are implementing counts currently;

Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Governments Good data supports engagement with higher levels of government Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Governments Community planning and programs

Homelessness amongst Indigenous People in Canada Belanger, et al. 2012

Engaging Provincial and Territorial governments

National Strategy Supporting a Knowing who the homeless are, where they can be found, and what their socio-demographic, health, housing, and systems interaction needs are can significantly increase a community’s ability to take action to ending homelessness An estimated 150,000-300,000 Canadians are homeless (Laird, 2007); though no national count has ever been implemented; Only X cities are implementing counts currently;

Questions or comments?